On December 31, 2011, the last over the counter epinephrine asthma inhalers containing chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) will be removed from the market and consumers who rely on them will be forced to switch to more expensive CFC free alternatives.
CFCs are an aerosol type substance that depletes the ozone layer and this move by the FDA is in accordance with the 1987 Montreal Protocol where 26 nations pledged to eliminate these chemicals.
Here’s the kicker.
These CFC free “green” inhalers are available by prescription only. Not only will consumers have to pay for a doctor visit to obtain them, but they will also have to fork out anywhere from $10-$50 more per inhaler, in some cases triple the current price!
Wait, there’s more.
Will this elimination of CFC inhalers actually help the environment?
Nope.
Dean Baker from the Center for Economic and Policy Research says:
“It’s just absurd to think that this is anything that could have a measurable impact. You’d be hard-pressed to find a law that raised costs so much for such a nonexistent benefit to the environment.”
Edward Parson from the University of Michigan, an expert on ozone regulation, wholeheartedly concurs.  He says the beneficial environmental impact of removing the cheaper inhalers from the market will be “tiny”.
As it turns out, the new “green” inhalers aren’t even really green! The propellants used are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which are considered powerful greenhouse gases.
Score another one for Big Pharma. By spending only $520,000 lobbying the FDA between 2005 and 2010 to eliminate the cheaper inhalers, off brand competition has been completely eliminated simply by hiding behind a pseudo-green facade.
No worries though. The patents for the new CFC free inhalers will expire in only about 6 years. Prices should go back down then when generic brands hit the market once again.
In the meantime, Big Pharma will rake in about $8 billion in additional revenue from a captive and dependent consumer along with insurance companies and the US government.
$520,000 spent on lobbying plus $1 billion to develop the “green” inhalers compared to $8 billion in additional revenue gained. An insanely good return on investment in only 6 years.
Ah, helping the environment can be such a profitable endeavor.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sources: CFC Inhalers Being Phased Out by FDA Due to Environmental Effects
Mike – here are some great tips on controlling asthma!
asthma can be helped by hydrating with the right water. Salt is the other half of the hydration equation. You can short-circuit an asthma attack by drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water and placing a pinch of salt on the tongue. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy and transmission of nerve impulses in all the cells. Salt acts as a natural antihistamine through salt-sensing nerves on the tongue. Histamine is the body’s water-regulating hormone. It is a neurotransmitter that manages water distribution and rations water during drought management, which is why it is involved in shutting down the bronchioles in asthma. people with asthma need to drink no less than 10 eight-ounce glasses of water every day of their lives along with about a half teaspoon of salt. They should also add salt to their food. a low-salt diet is a major contributing factor to the onset of asthma. The other major culprit is caffeine, because of its strong dehydrating effect. the increase in childhood asthma could be from addiction to caffeinated soft drinks.
It seems that every environmental regulation ultimately means big money for some big industry. Just a coincidence, I ‘m sure.
Those inhalers do not cure anyone, anyway. Never did.
That is ridiculous!
STINGING NETTLE! Excellent for asthma and allergic reactions.
1 – 3 capsules daily – experiment with the amount you need.
thanks for the heads-up on this.
We can quash the asthma epidemic by restoring the gut/immune system with the GAPS diet, raw grassfed milk, and other nutritional and natural health remedies. Thankfully there are numerous GAPS-certified practitioners around the world now for those who need guidance, but this largely self-directed nutrition program can be done by anyone. There are also gentle yet effective ways to approach acute asthma attacks. The knowledge is getting out there. Perhaps one day inhalers will be largely obsolete.
Very well said.
What are the gentle, yet effective ways?. I would love to know any real, step by step effective ways that are safe for children. When a child is suffering an asthma attack triggered by a viral illness, something has to be done. These medicines do seem to have a place. The alternative is a child who cannot breathe.
btw, I USED to use several medications for asthma, not anymore (and raw milk helped as well as my regular yoga practice)
there are yogic methods of breath control – using mudra (hand positions), marma (pressure points) and pranayama (control of the breath). if you want to learn, contact me!
Thank goodness for lobelia!