Posted on 12/29/2007 10:02:50 AM PST by grundle
This is the problem with the politicians, and especially those who are so worried about the environment: They forget what and who is important -- people. The reason I say this is because of what has happened with prescription inhalers used for asthma treatment.
I recently needed to refill my inhaler and was told by the local pharmacist that the inhaler was now different because it contained ingredients that harmed the ozone layer. However, these ingredients were the most effective for helping calm down an asthma attack.
I was also informed by the pharmacy that since the medication was altered, it was not covered by my prescription coverage because it is now considered a new medication.
To make a long story short, I had a minor asthma attack and this new, altered inhaler did almost nothing to help. I then went to the emergency room and needed to receive a couple of breathing treatments to settle down my breathing. I then informed the ER doctor what inhaler I used and he actually began to laugh, saying, "It's crazy that the medication would be altered like this. Don't they know how many millions of people rely on inhalers for asthma relief?"
I was diagnosed as asthmatic when I was about 7 or 8 years old and have needed to use inhalers every day since. I ask you this: What happens to the elderly who rely on inhalers also and who are on fixed incomes? Will they receive the same rude awakening when they are advised that these asthmatic medications are now not covered by insurance because they supposedly harm the ozone layer?
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Lets face it environmentalist are human haters and could care less about people. Look at the millions they have killed when they got DDT banned for NO REASON.
(a) There is less pressure.
(b) It feels more powdery going down.
The last thing you want when you’re having an asthma attack is to blow powder down your throat.
No worries, I’m picking up a CFC prescription every time I leave the state so I’m well stocked,
Note to self: Must build of stash! :)
But in this instance the real blame belongs to the politicians who enacted the law that changed the inhalers.
Have you tried looking for the product overseas?
A good place to do business with is Masters Marketing in the UK. You might have to email them with the name of the product to find out if they can get it for you as stuff is often marketed under a different name in England. They will translate the US brand name into the UK brand name.
If it is a generic product it might be listed on their website.
http://www.masters-uk.com/medicines/home.php
You can order virtually any RX as long as it is not a controlled substance.
I use Maxair. It used to be that it actually worked. And then they changed it to the type of delivery system it has now. It doesnt work.
I dont like inhalers and never used them untill they decided that the MARAX that I was using for years and years was no longer needed. So I was put on Accolate-twice a day. Its as useless as the Maxair. Then...I am often told that Accolate is an old med and they cant get it...a pure bunch of bull. I travel a lot and I generally go to Walmart to get my meds filled. Some Walmarts are good and some are lazy useless SOBs. Like the one in Elkhart IN.
I did the same thing. I work in the medical field so knew this was coming. My Albuterol inhaler is the only way I can do things outdoors certain times of the year. My sympathetic primary care MD wrote for a stockpile several months ago.
Masters Marketing doesn’t require a prescription?
The mole weight of the compound went from ~280 to ~480mg, and the propellant is not as forceful. Additionally, because of the 'new' formulation, it is again a proprietary formulation, so there are no substitutions available. Albuterol with CFC retailed at under $20; ProAir©HFA goes over $40.
Nope. You just give the name of your doctor. It’s a CYA thing with them. They never do anything with it.
This is the result of the fuss made by AIDS patients years ago. The FDA was forced to adopt a Personal Use Policy that allows Americans to import drugs from overseas.
The propellant or means of delivery can be just as critical as the medication in getting it into the persons airway efficiently and quickly. An example is a sinus allergy spray called Nasocort I think was the name. In a propellant spray mist delivery it worked almost instantly. The EPA and Lords of Stupidity however decided that it needed to be in the form of a typical squeeze bottle delivery {liquid} fer da environment of course. What once worked well became useless. Having the majority of it go down my throat rather than in a mist form absorbed by the membranes in my nasal passages made it a futile act and waste of money. Sinus allergy attacks can be very similar in nature to Asthma attacks. Getting instant relief should be the top priority.
I was "pre-warned" the hard way. Doc said they will outlaw the present delivery system so I may as well get used to the new one. The albuterol is supposed to be the same.
Isn’t it too bad that this article includes NO specifics? It’s so vague, for those of us whose families use inhalers, that there is actually no reason to read it and truly no real information to glean from it.
~280 to ~480mg should be micrograms, µg Sorry.
Worth repeating.
Wow, shows how naive I am. Wonder if all the hydrocodone seeking addicts know about this.
Anything to kill a man or at least his ability to think.
From what I know the albuterol is the same but the delivery system is much weaker. A respiratory therapist I know said the old propellant sent the medication deeper into the bronchia where it could provide the most relief. The new delivery system requires deeper inhalation as you spray it. Obviously these idiots have never had an asthma attack where inhaling is impossible. Good luck to you.
bump
The fellow claims his medication changed. It did not. As I said, I’m not happy about the new delivery method myself — but the medication is not different.
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