Asthma Inhalers Go CFC-Free, Australia

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 22 Oct 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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The National Asthma Council Australia has welcomed the news that Australia's last CFC asthma inhaler, Serevent Metered Dose Inhaler, will be discontinued from December 31, 2007.

According to the Council, which led the charge for the discontinuation of CFC containing inhalers, the phasing out of CFCs in asthma inhalers has been handled carefully and gradually to ensure that patients have ongoing access to their medications.

In the case of Serevent MDI, the green-coloured inhaler which is used to deliver symptom controller (or Long-Acting Beta-Agonist) medication, patients will still be able to use the same medication delivered via the green-coloured Accuhaler, which is CFC-free.

"While CFC use in asthma inhalers was only a very small part of the overall environmental problem, and CFC use in asthma inhalers did not constitute a health risk, every effort to stop further damage to the world's ozone layer and to promote its recovery is critical," explained Kristine Whorlow, National Asthma Council CEO and an Australian Government nominee on the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, which is guiding the world phase-out of CFCs for medical purposes.

"Australia, as a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances, eliminated most CFC use a few years ago and I am extremely pleased that when it comes to asthma, Australia will be CFC-free in 2008."

All asthma and COPD inhalers in Australia will now be either dry powder or will use a HFA propellant. These inhalers provide the same health benefits as their CFCcontaining predecessors without damaging the ozone layer. Of course, a number of dry inhalers were available before the CFC phase-out began.

People with asthma who want more information about the phase-out of this last CFC containing inhaler and the need to change to another inhaler should seek information from their doctor.

http://www.nationalasthma.org.au

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