Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Devil_May_Kare t1_iubmvz5 wrote

I hope they either have a carve-out for inhaler propellants or a safe non-HFC propellant ready to replace HFC-134a.

76

3232330 t1_iucixr2 wrote

You might find this article interesting

This part stood out

> In December, pharmaceutical company Chiesi in Parma, Italy, announced a €350-million (US$385-million) effort to bring an MDI with a climate-friendly propellant to market by 2025. Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced in January that it plans to have a similar device ready by 2025.

20

Nonegoose t1_iuctg0o wrote

My concern is that here in the US inhalers can get pricey- about five years ago the out-of-pocket was $70 for a 200-count MDI, and there was no generic available because of the propellant change since that was still under patent. They're a bit cheaper now that generics are available (some are even available over the counter), but another propellant change without a price cap or free use of the patent for inhalers is going to cause significant distress- and take rescue MDIs off the non-script shelves again.

What's fun is that worsening air pollution tends to cause asthma, so we could find ourselves in a worse situation than we did a year into Covid: a boost to the population seeking treatment for breathing issues, with an added twist of a sudden drop in available and reasonably priced inhalers.

7

NotObviouslyARobot t1_iuc0nwm wrote

The Drug companies don't want you to use HFC propellants so they can sell you more expensive inhalers.

19

jeffbailey t1_iuc8u6w wrote

The more expensive ones have lactose, which is an allergen.

8

fuzzygondola t1_iud38js wrote

The lactose can't be a requirement for another propellant to work, right?

2

jeffbailey t1_iudz7ej wrote

Not my field :). When I asked a friend why they used lactose, he said that it increases absorption.

2