Posted on 01/27/2006 3:07:55 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Eco-terrorists have struck again. Not in the dead of night, to be pursued by diligent agents of the FBI, but right out in the open, in a public meeting, under the auspices of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On January 24, one of those ubiquitous FDA panels of "outside experts" voted, by an 11 to seven margin, to recommend that FDA ban non-prescription, over-the-counter asthma inhalers, used routinely by millions of asthma-sufferers to control the symptoms of their debilitating condition. As frequently noted in the press, while such recommendations are not binding, they are most often adopted.
The issue for the panel is not drug safety. It is not drug efficacy. It is the environment.
The inhalers proposed for extinction are used to treat mild to moderate asthma attacks by opening air passages. They work by propelling a measured dose of the drug epinephrine (or another bronchodilator) into the lungs. Unfortunately, the propellant is made up of chlorofluorocarbons, the dreaded CFCs.
Based on the scientific belief that CFCs released into the atmosphere are responsible for ozone layer depletion, they were first banned in consumer aerosol products by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1978. Then, in 1987, the so-called "Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer" sought to phase out CFCs on a worldwide basis. Described, as you might expect, as one of those "landmark" international agreements, the Montreal Protocol has now been signed by more than 180 countries. Subsequently, the U.S. banned all uses of CFCs as of 1996, except for certain "essential" products - medicines such as asthma inhalers.
Even the EPA, which, typically, has been pushing to extend the ban to asthma inhalers for years now, has estimated that inhaler-produced atmospheric CFC emissions is fractional - no more than 1.5 percent of the total. While easily accessible data are scant, we have seen one significantly lower estimate, and it is exceptionally difficult to believe that the tiny puffs inhaled by asthmatics produce CFC exhale of sufficient volume to present a real-world (i.e., not some hypothetical computer-modeled) effect. If such conclusive data, along with transparent methodology by which derived, exist, we'd like to take a look.
Even accepting the most horrific CFC scenarios, we are not talking about 50 million women lacquering big hair with hairspray several times daily or the other consequential uses for CFCs now gone missing except in countries that take a more cavalier (or pragmatic) view of "landmark" international environmental agreements than does the U.S.
We are talking about a medicine that is "essential" to those who use it. Today, the most prominent of the inhalers that would be banned is Primatene Mist, manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which estimates 3 million American users.
Yes, there are alternatives, including powder formulations that may be sucked into the lungs without propellants and other aerosols that use recently developed propellants currently not deemed to present environmental problems. But the alternatives are not available without prescription and thus are more expensive, once again posing cost and availability issues for the so-called "little guy," to whose interests some liberal elected officials have recently expressed their undying devotion.
As we understand the Montreal Protocol, it does not absolutely, unequivocally, mandate the ban of CFC products if use is deemed essential and for which there are not available viable alternatives. Wyeth says it needs until 2009 or 2010 to have a substitute, which itself must be approved by the FDA, for over-the-counter use.
If you are an asthmatic, or have an asthmatic in your family, who depends on an over-the-counter inhaler, you might want to call your congressperson. Soon. See how much he or she cares about the "little guy."
Oh Goodie the eco-morons have already taken the Nasacort inhaler off the market. The alternative is the nasal spray version going down the throat wasted and not nearly as effective.
Ironically Asthmatics aren't supposed to tke asprin :>} At least that's what they told me anyway.
These are the same people that will be jumping on the idiotic California crapola that SHS causes asthma bandwagon.........tough luck.
Buy one each month whether or not you use it. Stockpile if you can. Granted the insurance company limiting the number puffs from the {rescue inhaler} is insane. A couple of months ago I was having to juggle Flovent, Combivent, and Singular. They paid for two out of three of my choice.
Not where you're concerned. Please give me a detailed analysis of what happens to inhaled CFCs. I'm sure it won't be hard for such a genius as yourself to prove that they come out in exactly the same amount and exactly the same composition as they went in.
Yes, I've been told that also....but, I'm not an asthmatic, luckily. (Although Docs tried to say I was....but, then they try to say LOTS of stuff I find idiotic, at times.)
I thought I didn't till I read the clinical description which differs from what most persons see it as being. I've had it a long time and didn't know it. An exposure to black mold over the summer pushed it over the edge.
I've had asthma for 30 years and always used Primatene until the doctors got a hold of me. They had me on so many medications and inhalers I needed a goody bag to carry it all around. And my asthma got worse, couldn't even get off the couch without wheezing. I finally threw it all in the trash, went out and bought my Primatene and it's controlled it just fine. I only use it about once or twice a month now and I haven't had an attack in over 10 years, except for three aspirin induced attacks.
When you have a beast crouching on your chest, sucking all your air away, you could care less about the ozone layer.
At a college chemistry lab.
You cannot do a damn thing about the ban except for ineffectual ranting.
They have small nebulizers on the market now - little portable ones and the medication for these is relatively inexpensive once the cost of the nebulizer itself has been covered. They are also covered by Medicare I believe although I paid for mine.
I use albuterol and advair but I have severe emphysema...and I think I am going to "graduate" to the small nebulizer for delivery next. I love the nebulizers but the larger machine made life inconvenient...the small portable one is going to be a welcome addition to my world.
It's not that so much - I'm just tired of all these busybodies.
Better way to reduce all those health disparities!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1563271/posts
Healthy People 2010
NGO reducing health disparities, ping
ding, ding ding!
You are correct.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1563271/posts
Healthy People 2010
Better way to reduce all those health disparities!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1563271/posts
Healthy People 2010
Yep. And "The Dumbing Down of America!" :(
Holy moly! Now there is a post from caffine nazis!
These NGOs are popping up with their funded issues like whack a moles!
Going to see the caffine thread.
well mine is covered by Insurance so why shouldn't yours be covered?
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