Possible Shortage of Albuterol Inhalers

[Jack50]

Bimbo wrote:

I think some good lawsuits might snap some of these drug companies as this ozone excuse is very wrong.

Unfortunately, drug companies followed what the US government expected them to do. Reformulate! However, if there is any lawsuits, it would have to take a different angle that has a far better bite to it.

[SNSB]

For the most current information and how to help fight the CFC ban, check out this site.

https://www.savecfcinhalers.org/

I didn't know this was even happening. I found out what to do and how to help.

[Art]

Jack50 wrote:

<quoted text>
Unfortunately, drug companies followed what the US government expected them to do. Reformulate! However, if there is any lawsuits, it would have to take a different angle that has a far better bite to it.

Hey, Jack50!

There you are!

I've been wondering where you were. Hope all is well.

As usual, you are absolutely right.

Class action lawsuits are viewed by drug companies as simply a cost of doing business and even if we were successful in winning class action lawsuits against ALL HFA MDI drug companies (0% chance of that happening, btw)- at the end of the day- CFC MDIs would STILL be banned per the Clean Air Act. Wrong strategy.

We must lobby Congress to AMEND the Clean Air Act if we want to permanently legalize CFC MDIs.

Period. End of Story. Case Closed.

Join us at SaveCFCinhalers.org and help us do this.

[johnnylakis]

From emedtv.com -The first patent for Proventil HFA currently expires in July 2010. This is the earliest that a generic version of Proventil HFA could become available. However, there are circumstances that could arise to extend the exclusivity period of Proventil HFA beyond 2010. This could include such things as other patents for specific Proventil HFA uses or lawsuits. Once Proventil HFA goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Proventil HFA drug.

[Jack50]

johnnylakis wrote:

From emedtv.com -The first patent for Proventil HFA currently expires in July 2010. This is the earliest that a generic version of Proventil HFA could become available. However, there are circumstances that could arise to extend the exclusivity period of Proventil HFA beyond 2010. This could include such things as other patents for specific Proventil HFA uses or lawsuits. Once Proventil HFA goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Proventil HFA drug.

Well, there is another angle that may prevent future manufacturing of any new albuterol medications. Albuterol is a racemic drug that contains a beneficial portion and a "problematic" portion. Xopenex (Levalbuterol) contains only the beneficial portion. From all of my readings FDA is wanting to ban any future racemic drug from hitting the market.

[Lee Acuff]

This is clearly an issue that almost demands a congressional investigation. It's serious enough that the "new" formulation is a very poor replacement for the standard medication, but it's a glaring case of greed that the several hundred percent increase in price implies and given the serious even life threatening ramifications involved some type of meaningful action must be taken. Millions of people are now suffering as a direct result of this misguided foolishness.

[Jack50]

Lee Acuff wrote:

This is clearly an issue that almost demands a congressional investigation. It's serious enough that the "new" formulation is a very poor replacement for the standard medication, but it's a glaring case of greed that the several hundred percent increase in price implies and given the serious even life threatening ramifications involved some type of meaningful action must be taken. Millions of people are now suffering as a direct result of this misguided foolishness.

Problem is we will fall on deaf ears and even be blamed for not using the inhaler properly.

Last week I witnessed a lady at the drug store that didn't bother with the "hold it in" procedure. She was stuck on a puff and bitch mode rudely complaining to the pharmacy staff. The Pharmacist had security remove her with instructions have another pharmacy call them for filling of her remaining prescriptions. Out the door she was b'tching that other pharmacy's had kicked her out as well.

[Jason]

So I noticed that the ProAir HFA Inhalers that my insurance company tries to force on me have half the dosage of albuterol as the old CFC inhalers. It has 8g of albuterol for 200 doses. The old inhaler had 17g of albuterol for 200 doses.

I got my doctor to change me to the Ventolin HFA inhaler. My insurance company is charging me $125 for 6 inhalers through their mail order pharmacy. That boggles my mind. I emailed my congressmen about this but all they did was sign me up on their mailing list. I'm still frustrated with the change.

[SNSB]

This is the best place for the most credible information.

http://www.savecfcinhalers.org/

[Jack50]

Jason wrote:

So I noticed that the ProAir HFA Inhalers that my insurance company tries to force on me have half the dosage of albuterol as the old CFC inhalers. It has 8g of albuterol for 200 doses. The old inhaler had 17g of albuterol for 200 doses.
I got my doctor to change me to the Ventolin HFA inhaler. My insurance company is charging me $125 for 6 inhalers through their mail order pharmacy. That boggles my mind. I emailed my congressmen about this but all they did was sign me up on their mailing list. I'm still frustrated with the change.

The net weight of 8g or 17g isn't straight Albuterol, but a mix with the propellant. Now what comes out mouthpiece should be equivalent as far as the dosage is concerned, BUT the problem lies with a weaker propellant and the medication being much dryer. The medication in Pro-Air deposits on the mouthpiece really bad.

You should be so lucky to get 6 inhalers for under $21 a piece, considering the switch to the more costly Ventolin. I know of people paying much higher for Pro-Air that would be stuck in paying full price in order to switch to Ventolin. Unfortunately (or fortunately-depending on company we have) we are at the mercy of what the insurance company will pay for.

[Nikki]

Jack50 wrote:

<quoted text>
The net weight of 8g or 17g isn't straight Albuterol, but a mix with the propellant. Now what comes out mouthpiece should be equivalent as far as the dosage is concerned, BUT the problem lies with a weaker propellant and the medication being much dryer. The medication in Pro-Air deposits on the mouthpiece really bad.
You should be so lucky to get 6 inhalers for under $21 a piece, considering the switch to the more costly Ventolin. I know of people paying much higher for Pro-Air that would be stuck in paying full price in order to switch to Ventolin. Unfortunately (or fortunately-depending on company we have) we are at the mercy of what the insurance company will pay for.

I've just discovered (June 2009) that Wal-Mart is offering the Ventolin HFA Inhaler for $9, yes $9. That is *considerably* cheaper than any other inhaler I've been buying for my son...even cheaper than what I use to pay for his Albuterol inhaler (with CFC). I figured I'd share in case anyone still happens to look at this forum post (like I did).:-D

[MfPI]

I'm sure you've noticed by now that it contains less than 1/3 the doses. So it's $30+ dose for dose.
Not bad, but not great either. Still ~$10 cheaper than most though.

Funny to see Walmart negate the negligible environmental savings of hfa, with increased material and packaging involved in making them, and fuel for shipping and a potential increase in pharmacy trips by consumers.

Hopefully in fuel inefficient cars for best results.:)

[MfPI]

They should just package them in styrofoam boxes while they're at it.

[MfPI]

Note: To clarify, that's not the observed "8g vs 17g" content difference between HFA and CFC mentioned earlier in this thread.

I was referring to the Walmart ReliOn inhaler that's 60 puffs vs the normal 200 puffs in other inhalers.(30%)

This way, Walmart can offer a tiny bit of savings, but get some customers to visit their pharamacy (probably located in the back of the store) alot more often, and be exposed to all their other products in the process.

Might as well buy something else while you're there after all..

[SandraQueen]

I find some information about Albuterol inhalers at http://purchasedrugs24.com/product/albuterol.... and about Albuterol Sulfate pills at http://albuterol.biz There is description of side effects, dosage, using of this medicine. Hope it will be useful.

[Jack50]

MfPI wrote:

Note: To clarify, that's not the observed "8g vs 17g" content difference between HFA and CFC mentioned earlier in this thread.

Not in my reference, but I was a bit off the mark. My Xopenex HFA comes in 15g canisters. Other HFA canisters resemble the former CFC short sample canisters

[Jack50]

SandraQueen wrote:

I find some information about Albuterol inhalers at http://purchasedrugs24.com/product/albuterol.... and about Albuterol Sulfate pills at http://albuterol.biz There is description of side effects, dosage, using of this medicine. Hope it will be useful.

The best route for respiratory medications is inhaled into the lungs. Pills take too much time and have generally more side effects.

[MiPI]

Yeah, I just wanted to clarify, in case someone assumed it was just a canister size or gram difference. Walmart doesn't mention the doses in their press releases and whatnot. They only speaks of what a wonderful favor they're doing for everyone in these "hard financial times".

[Jack50]

MiPI wrote:

Yeah, I just wanted to clarify, in case someone assumed it was just a canister size or gram difference. Walmart doesn't mention the doses in their press releases and whatnot. They only speaks of what a wonderful favor they're doing for everyone in these "hard financial times".

The weird part is that the Albuterol HFC based canisters have different weights depending on the brand, but the common thing is that they are supposed to contain 200 doses.

[Dixie]

You can not be serious Fred, how would someone have known this information much less to speak of teenagers who are trusting in adults to make the right decisions and not some govenment official who has stock in a company that is pushing this new product.

fred wrote:

Albuterol is NOT being banned. the propellant, CFC, which has been used to propel the medicine from the inhaler into your lungs, has been banned.
the new albuterol inhalers are the same medicine, with a different propellant. It may taste and/or feel different, but its the same medicine.
suggest you talk to you doctor. there are lots of programs available right now to help patients make the transition.