Asthma Medicine

March 29, 2007

Asthma sufferers could soon find themselves out of breath when they pay for their medicine. A University of Florida study shows that a new propellant mandated for asthma inhalers by late next year could cost consumers three times more than the current drug does. But, UF pharmacy researcher Leslie Hendeles says while the new product may cost more and seems different, research shows it works as well as the old medicine.

Hendeles: “The bottom line is that the new HFA replacements feel differently and taste differently but they have the same efficacy, the same benefit and same safety as the CFC albuterol inhalers.”

The FDA has made the change for environmental reasons to eliminate chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs from inhalers. Because of the new formula, a cheaper generic brand won’t become available until 2012.

(See related post: )