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Asthma Inhalers Go Green, But Are More Expensive
December 30, 2008 9:27 p.m. EST
David Goodhue - AHN Reporter
Miami, FL (AHN) - People suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments will be forced to shell out more money to by “green” inhalers beginning in the new year.
Since the United States signed on to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, U.S. drug companies must sell inhalers that use the propellant hydrofluoralkane, or HFA.
Environmentalists say the propellant used in traditional inhalers damages the ozone layer.
But the HFA inhalers are significantly more expensive.
Most of the new HFA inhalers cost between $30 and $60. Old inhalers cost between $5 and $25, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The cost has some healthcare professionals concerned lower income people may cut back on their prescriptions. Inhalers are used by asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive disorder patients to deliver the drug albuterol for quick relief of symptoms associated with those diseases.
Old inhalers used chlorofluorocarbons to deliver the drug.
Some patients say the new inhalers are less effective in delivering relief.
I was listening to talk radio (Walter Williams filling in for Rush)he said besides the horrendous cost of the new inhalers they also plug up and therefore don't deliver the needed amount, if any at all.
My PA prescribed the new one about six months ago because of the pending ban, so I could “try” it. It cost $100 compared to $10, partially because the insurance hadn’t picked it up yet and it had half the albuterol.
“Since the United States signed on to the 1987 Montreal Protocol...”
How many people have ever heard of this? I never had until today. I’d like to know how many billion inhalers used for how many thousand years would it take to make a significant impact on the ozone layer? Is this another of those cow fart alarms?
I've heard this before. Wonderful how Mother Gaia matters more than someone who can't breathe.
That's exactly right, I've noticed it takes time to feel my lungs clear up when wheezing. Using the CFC powered inhalers, my lungs cleared up instantly.
Leave it up to Congress to ruin a good thing.
Thank you so much for the heads up. This sure will be a huge savings. Once again, thank you!