Obama Administration to Ban Asthma Inhalers Over Environmental Concerns

Weekly Standard ^

[Sub-Driver]

Obama Administration to Ban Asthma Inhalers Over Environmental Concerns 3:00 PM, Sep 23, 2011 • By MARK HEMINGWAY Single Page Print Larger Text Smaller Text Alerts

Remember how Obama recently waived new ozone regulations at the EPA because they were too costly? Well, it seems that the Obama administration is would rather make people with Asthma cough up money than let them make a surely inconsequential contribution to depleting the ozone layer:

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.

The Atlantic's Megan McArdle, an asthma sufferer, noted a while back that when consumers are forced to deal with environmentally friendly products they're are almost always worse:

[Red in Blue PA]

And when blacks cannot get inhalors, they will blame Bush.

You know its coming.

[Red in Blue PA]

This aimply creates a black market since they are illegal here but not in Mexico or Canada.

[algernonpj]

If you are having difficulty getting meds you needcovered by your insurance the following might help The booklet is for medicare, but the same info applies to private insurance:

How to Booklet re Rx Appeal Rejection:
http://www.medicarerights.org/partd_appeals_manual.pdf

Federal Regulations re Rx Appeals, giving time frames for ans by ins co:
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2005/01/28/05-1321/medicare-program-medicare-prescription-drug-benefit

Brand vs Generic:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/ag/sec02/ch015/ch015b.html

[Personal Responsibility]

I’m in basically the same situation with my albuterol inhaler. The problem, as I see it, is that there will be no OTC “emergency” saviors to purchase (i.e. Primatine) for times when I’ve forgotten my inhaler or it’s run out and my backup is at home.

I’m 42. That’s probably happened to me 3-4 times in my life. If this law was in place during my life, that’d be 3-4 very expensive trips to the emergency room instead of a $20 trip to CVS.

This is a disgrace, another government overreach for no reason. Disgusting.

[massmike]

But fear not! Condoms will still be available to your children from the school nurse!
....Whether you know about it or not!

[NFHale]

“...This guy has ignoramuses for advisers too...”

Hey D-1....

“Ignoramuses” is being kind and giving them the benefit of the doubt; even an ignoramus gets things right ONCE in a while. These people have long-since PROVED that they’re NOT dumbasses or ignoramuses - they’re focused, dedicated, and determined subversive assh*les who are hell-bent on getting control over everything and everybody.

This is one more way of controlling people - making another segment of people dependent on Obama deathcare and the government.

I don’t believe in coincidences anymore; I’ve seen too much, done too much research, and read too much history to conclude that they are anything BUT ignoramuses...

They know EXACTLY what they are doing, as it’s been scripted out for years by their former mentors in Russia, Germany, Cuba, China, any American University, etc.

They’ve been spanking their monkeys over this moment in time for decades - it’s been their wet dream for a long time - and before they get their communist asses handed to them, they’re going to do as much damage as possible, as quickly as possible, so that IF they get a chance to get power again, they can move forward some more.

Remember - they look at defeats as temporary setbacks, not the end of the war.

That’s why when we get control of our country again, we need to seriously start prosecuting these treasonous dirtbags (good luck, there)...

No...NOTHING they do is out of ignorance. It’s all driven by their goals and their agenda.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Is this the “Death Panel”?

[algernonpj]

They got rid of another type of inhaler about a year or two ago, and from what I have heard, the new kind is worse. Now they want an even worse kind?

The replacement of CFC inhalers with HFA inhalers has been an on-going process.

The Montreal Protocol was created to phase out hydrocarbons, that junk science had in a fit of consensus, declared the cause of the widening ozone hole.

CFC inhalers which had been around for decades were given an Exemption from the Montreal Protocol. CFC inhalers had a great safety record. They were sturdy and dependable. You could toss one in your desk drawer or glove box, forget it, and it would still work is you needed it.

In 1997 Clinton mandated that CFC inhalers be banned. The EPA and FDA complied.

The replacement HFA inhalers are an inferior product that works for some, does not work for some, does not work as well for many, and causes asthma attacks in some.

They contain an entirely new propellant, inactive ingredients, extractables, and leachables which were never adequately tested. Most testing was done on rabbits and healthy volunteers. None on people with emphasema, or severe chronic asthma.

HFA inhalers are prone to clogging and require constant maintenance.

The replacement of CFC inhales with HFA inhalers is an example of junk science, marxist environmentalism, and crony capitalism run amok.

[Eva]

Do you even need a prescription for the anti-histamine inhalers?

[algernonpj]

Forgot:

Per the FDA: "It is important to remember that it is the deep breath that you take with each puff that gets the medication into your lungs, not the force of the spray."

Interesting advice for the FDA to give someone who taking medication because they can't breathe deeply.

The following organizations were given grants bribes to 'educate' you and your physician on the new inferior inhalers:
The American Lung Association (ALA)
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
The Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA)
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)
The American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
The American Thoracic Society (ATS)

[surrey]

I guess I’ve been lucky. I’ve been using the Pulmicort for about 10 years with absolutely no side effects. My doctor is amazed with how well it has worked for me. Knock wood, I’ve pretty much been symptom free since I started using it. Before that, I made a few trips to the ER. I didn’t develop asthma until about age 50 and it hit me with a wallop and really altered my life. Now, I forget I have it.

[Karliner]

Not yet but I will have. I just went through two days of hell( second time in less than 6 months)for utilization reviews on my LIFETIME workers comp insurance in which they denied everything until I see a doctor AGAIN to renew prescriptions. It just happened when I saw this thread. Dang, I use albuteral and I cannot begin to think of the many times that inhaler has saved me from a worse attack by nipping it in the bud. I've had pneumoniax5, been shot at( scars to prove) in a war, am 80+ percent disabled from an assault when I was working with ...I better not say, but it took three long years fighting workers comp then my pension fund( add another 1.5 years for that) and it took my senator to help before I finally got it.

That's the short story. I am one of the few that worked through a 50% disability from the army, and never spoke of it with all the work I had AFTER my honorable discharge but dang, it's impossible the hoops they make me go through and who is eating it? Me with no meds and the pharmacist who was kind enough to have filled prescriptions in hopes he'll get paid. p>

I WANT to work but have not found an employer that will hire a part timer...GRRR I'm skilled and am in the process of going through a pharmacy tech licensing because I know my pension ain't gonna cut it in the next few years. Dang if anyone has a part time job in Humboldt County let me know, I really want to work.

So far I'm doing okay except the danged review I must do and the pharmacist who is out a lot of money until they sign off on my meds..damn them. Thanks for the links I'll check them and since I have a post on here it's auto bookmarked. Take care and God bless you.PS I do not have mediscre, just hospitalization I think it's part D, but I've never used it or needed it yet)

[algernonpj]

This has been in the works long before Obama. The beginnings go back to the 1970’s and 1980’s. This is a bi-partisan deal.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2782829/posts?page=128#128

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2782829/posts?page=129#129

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2782829/posts?page=113#113

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2782829/posts?page=71#71

[svcw]

It is still disgusting.

[algernonpj]

True, however it’s important to realize how far the tentacles of the enemy within have spread.

[Personal Responsibility]

The beginnings don’t change the reality of today. There is no reason this should even be considered - by anyone of any political stripe.

The “damage” (and I use that term loosely) that an OTC inhaler does to the environment is so miniscule in overall effect that it’s comparable to me spitting into the ocean and claiming that causes the seas to rise.

[algernonpj]

The beginnings don’t change the reality of today.

I pointed out the beginnings because so many posters seem the think Obama alone is responsible for this atrocity.

There is no reason this should even be considered - by anyone of any political stripe.

I completely agree.

[Personal Responsibility]

I pointed out the beginnings because so many posters seem the think Obama alone is responsible for this atrocity

Fair enough.

[Gilbo_3]

comparable to me spitting into the ocean and claiming that causes the seas to rise.

doubt if thats even a comparable, since the volume of spit is greater, and the ocean is smaller by volume than the atmosphere...

more like the tentacles of bigGov need more money to spend and are nearing the point of pullin back a stump...hopefully...

[tallyhoe]

It don’t matter which administration started this. It is big government run a muck! This is the only over the counter drug for asthma. This is like the EPA is going to try and regulate dust balls!