Posted on 09/22/2011 11:41:44 AM PDT by Mount Athos
Asthma patients who rely on over-the-counter inhalers will need to switch to prescription-only alternatives as part of the federal government's latest attempt to protect the Earth's atmosphere.
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday patients who use the epinephrine inhalers to treat mild asthma will need to switch by Dec. 31 to other types that do not contain chlorofluorocarbons, an aerosol substance once found in a variety of spray products.
The action is part of an agreement signed by the U.S. and other nations to stop using substances that deplete the ozone layer, a region in the atmosphere that helps block harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun.
But the switch to a greener inhaler will cost consumers more. Epinephrine inhalers are available via online retailers for around $20, whereas the alternatives, which contain the drug albuterol, range from $30 to $60.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Look at Primatene’s link:
http://www.primatene.com/doc/PressRelease07-27-2011.pdf
They say buy enough to last you for the period of time between when the CFC product is taken off the market and the non-CFC hits the shelves.
You’ll be ok, you just need to buy a few inhalers in the near future.
I used to think that as well, but the patents had already run out decades before......
Dunno- mine was made by Boehringer Ingolheim, a German manufacturer
I remember Meathead lamenting on All in the Family 40 years ago that the Ozone layer would be gone in 20 years if something wasn’t done about it. Meathead.
“Also include the price of an office call now to get a scrip.”
You have GOT to be kidding.
Unless you can call your doctor and get him to call in a prescription, you will have to go see him. If he has never treated you for asthma, he would require a visit before writing one for you.
Prescription only meds cost a lot more than over the counter, unless you have drug insurance.
Save the Earth, sacrifice the asthmatics.
Where have I heard this before? Oh yeah:
“You have to Break a Few Eggs to make an Omelet”- V I Lenin
Is yours one of the new Prescription only inhalers using Albuterol?
I’d rather suck in the CFCs as well. I don’t like my HFA-powered inhaler. It’s there and it works when I need it, and I certainly like the > 200 metered inhalations, but I’d prefer a better propellant.
>Used to be able to buy the albuterol inhalers that contained the CFCs for about $4.00. The new non-CFC albuterol inhalers are almost 10 times as much.
And they don’t work as well. I have fairly severe asthma and the new non-CFC ones don’t seem to have enough “oomph” to push into my lungs when I’m having a bad attack.
And God knows what they’re using as a propellant in it and what that’s doing to my lungs.
Just mix it with 5 gal of Diesel or Kerosene...takes the smell away almost totally...Then again..... ;)
Only one I can vouch for.
I hate electric bills, and this gets yer clothes almost dry without heat.
That's the whole idea. If you can afford your own, you won't need the Gummint to take care of you, so they change the rules so you can't afford it.
Considering it takes energy to eaqrn and accumulate those consumer dollars, it is obvious to me “green” is anything but.
Here we go again! Those who remember their high school or college chemistry, break out your chart of elements. Now add up how much a CFC molecule weighs. compare to the weight of O2, CO2 and nitrogen. Now silently in your head say WTH or WTF. Does that tell you the caliber of scientists at the EPA or the FDA.
IF you still need confirmation, seek out an earth scientist at your local university. Be prepared for him or her to laugh hysterically while rolling on the ground.
CFCs are way too heavy to reach the stratosphere to damage ozone.
“Asthma patients who rely on over-the-counter inhalers will need to switch to prescription-only alternatives..”
This should probably result in lower health care costs.....
;-)
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