• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

EPA to ban affordable inhalers?

rathi said:
The EPA didn't ban CFC inhalers, it was the FDA and was done according to treaty obligations. The price when up because some complete BS that put HFA's back under patent, so there were no generics available. It was necessary, as a minor inconvenience for asthmatics is frankly worth the cost for avoiding UV exposure.
Click to expand...

So should we ban tanning beds? The amount of CFC's in rescue inhalers is incredibly minimal. So, asthmatics should be screwed because a minute amount of CFCs may go into the air and atmosphere?
 
Re: Obama Administration Set to Ban Asthma Inhalers

rocket88 said:
Assuming you're under a doctor's care in some way and can get a prescription, it looks like it shouldn't be a problem.

I thought Symbicort was prescription only anyway. I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Yes, Symbicort is presciption, only. It is a steroid, which has already caused me to get cataract surgery early, and now I have Glaucoma in both eyes. It started in just the left eye at first. When I confronted my lung specialist, I was told, "Well, you have to breathe."

I did try Primatine Mist some years back, but like Manc Skipper says, it's an epineprine inhaler. I found in the past that these types of inhalers make you giddy, but only give temporary relief. I took a shot of Primatine Mist right before a training run, and the first 1/4 mile, I felt great and after that, I felt so tired, it was a labor just to finish.
 
Re: Obama Administration Set to Ban Asthma Inhalers

Manc Skipper said:
The ban applies only to epinephrine inhalers with a cfc propellant. It is an OTC product called Primatine Mist. Your fears are unfounded, stoked by the GOP misinformation network.

...And the original agreement regarding the withdrawal was signed by Ronnie Reagan himself, not the Obama admin.
Click to expand...

I'm glad to hear that because my wife asked her friend, who works in the medical field, and she said that she would ask the doctors, since the value of these steroid inhalers is the ability to get right into the lungs where it is needed, whereas, pills are just not that effective.
 
Re: Obama Administration Set to Ban Asthma Inhalers

Just to clarify, the OP has failed to show how this originated or has anything at all to do with the Obama Administration. This initiative seems to have predated his administration in more ways than one.
 
digsbe said:
So should we ban tanning beds? The amount of CFC's in rescue inhalers is incredibly minimal. So, asthmatics should be screwed because a minute amount of CFCs may go into the air and atmosphere?
Click to expand...

Look, you're being screwed by the manufacturer, not the regulations. The CFCs could simply be replaced with other substances for the same cost, but the manufacturer took this opportunity to force everyone to switch to something more profitable.
 
Deuce said:
Look, you're being screwed by the manufacturer, not the regulations. The CFCs could simply be replaced with other substances for the same cost, but the manufacturer took this opportunity to force everyone to switch to something more profitable.
Click to expand...

Which wouldn't have been possible without the new regulations. It's a typical screw the consumer power play between the government and the health industry.
 
Manc Skipper said:
It was Ronnie Reagan who signed up for this, not President Obama.

From wikipedia...

"...Letter from Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Senate:
"THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release December 21, 1987
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, done at Montreal on September 16, 1987. The report of the Department of State is also enclosed for the information of the Senate.
The Montreal Protocol provides for internationally coordinated control of ozone-depleting substances in order to protect public health and the environment from potential adverse effects of depletion of stratospheric ozone. The Protocol was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program, pursuant to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was ratified by the United States in August 1986.
In this historic agreement, the international community undertakes cooperative measures to protect a vital global resource. The United States played a leading role in the negotiation of the Protocol. United States ratification is necessary for entry into force and effective implementation of the Protocol. Early ratification by the United States will encourage similar action by other nations whose participation is also essential.
I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Protocol and give its advice and consent to ratification.
Ronald Reagan The White House December 21, 1987" "
Click to expand...

Would you point out where it says that Reagan sought to ban Asthma inhalers?
 
bicycleman said:
Would you point out where it says that Reagan sought to ban Asthma inhalers?
Click to expand...

Reagan signed a treaty to lower CFC emissions. The removal of CFC propelled inhalers was done to meet treaty requirements.
 
Re: Obama Administration to ban Asthma Inhalers over Environmental Concerns

Signed in 1987, took till 2012 to "ban" these inhalers. i hae one. I use it when I need it. This is gonna mean "hoarding"
 
rathi said:
Reagan signed a treaty to lower CFC emissions. The removal of CFC propelled inhalers was done to meet treaty requirements.
Click to expand...

I remember the discussion occurred about that time frame, but the concentration was leveled toward aerosol cans, deodorants, bug spray, air fresheners, yet they have not been banned. I supposed the ingredients that harm the environment were removed from those products, yet these over the counter inhalers are to be banned. I would hardly think these inhalers contribute to the demise of the ozone layer. Their banning will more than likely contribute to the demise of the poor, who cannot afford adequate medical treatment.

Oh, I have forgotten about free health care that has been signed into law. Now we working stiffs will be forced to pay for more expensive medical treatment because the over the counter inhalants have been banned.
 
Deuce said:
.... the Montreal Protocol deals with CFCs....
Click to expand...

America is its own sovereign nation. No political leader, Republican or Democrat had any business signing a treaty like that.

Back then, I had exercise-induced asthma, but it got worse as I progressed in years. Then I only used an Albuterol inhaler. If there had been talk of banning inhalers, I would have heard about it. The only discussion was about what was in aerosol cans.

Now, after all these years, inhalers have been found to destroy the ozone layer? It's all poppycock.
 
bicycleman said:
America is its own sovereign nation. No political leader, Republican or Democrat had any business signing a treaty like that.

Back then, I had exercise-induced asthma, but it got worse as I progressed in years. Then I only used an Albuterol inhaler. If there had been talk of banning inhalers, I would have heard about it. The only discussion was about what was in aerosol cans.

Now, after all these years, inhalers have been found to destroy the ozone layer? It's all poppycock.
Click to expand...

One specific brand of OTC inhaler uses the banned CFC as a propellant. "Primatine Mist" is the only single sole unique aerosol can inhaler which still does this. Nobody is banning inhalers as a group. Far-right talking point central is pushing your buttons again. Relax.
 
Manc Skipper said:
One specific brand of OTC inhaler uses the banned CFC as a propellant. "Primatine Mist" is the only single sole unique aerosol can inhaler which still does this. Nobody is banning inhalers as a group. Far-right talking point central is pushing your buttons again. Relax.
Click to expand...

In all likelihood they will just change their propellent.
 
Manc Skipper said:
One specific brand of OTC inhaler uses the banned CFC as a propellant. "Primatine Mist" is the only single sole unique aerosol can inhaler which still does this. Nobody is banning inhalers as a group. Far-right talking point central is pushing your buttons again. Relax.
Click to expand...

Nobody said that anyone was banning inhalers. The arguement is the affordable ones are being banned and this is how we control health care costs? Re-read my thread title.
 
1Perry said:
Nobody said that anyone was banning inhalers. The arguement is the affordable ones are being banned and this is how we control health care costs? Re-read my thread title.
Click to expand...

Health care is one concern among thousands that have to do with a sustainable (economically, environmentally, etc) lifestyle in this country. So while old treaties may be an issue towards this single concern, overall it is a minor thing towards the affordability of health care in general.

A more pressing concern is for those who may not have insurance to afford the other types of inhalers.
 
bicycleman said:
America is its own sovereign nation. No political leader, Republican or Democrat had any business signing a treaty like that.

Back then, I had exercise-induced asthma, but it got worse as I progressed in years. Then I only used an Albuterol inhaler. If there had been talk of banning inhalers, I would have heard about it. The only discussion was about what was in aerosol cans.

Now, after all these years, inhalers have been found to destroy the ozone layer? It's all poppycock.
Click to expand...

Oh for ****'s sake, you're one of those people who thinks voluntarily signing a treaty imposes upon our sovereignty. I suppose you're against the Geneva Convention too. Trade agreements. Is freedom being taken from you when you sign a rental car contract? It's taking away your right to do certain things!

CFCs have been known to destroy the ozone layer for decades. This is not a recent development.
 
megaprogman said:
Health care is one concern among thousands that have to do with a sustainable (economically, environmentally, etc) lifestyle in this country. So while old treaties may be an issue towards this single concern, overall it is a minor thing towards the affordability of health care in general.

A more pressing concern is for those who may not have insurance to afford the other types of inhalers.
Click to expand...

Everything is a minor issue until they are all added together.
 
1Perry said:
Nobody said that anyone was banning inhalers. The arguement is the affordable ones are being banned and this is how we control health care costs? Re-read my thread title.
Click to expand...

Did you miss the title of this thread then? Also several other similar bits of scaremongering nonsense on the same theme on other sites?
 
bicycleman said:
I remember the discussion occurred about that time frame, but the concentration was leveled toward aerosol cans, deodorants, bug spray, air fresheners, yet they have not been banned. I supposed the ingredients that harm the environment were removed from those products, yet these over the counter inhalers are to be banned. I would hardly think these inhalers contribute to the demise of the ozone layer. Their banning will more than likely contribute to the demise of the poor, who cannot afford adequate medical treatment.

Oh, I have forgotten about free health care that has been signed into law. Now we working stiffs will be forced to pay for more expensive medical treatment because the over the counter inhalants have been banned.
Click to expand...

((((((((((((((((((sigh))))))))))))))))))))))))

read

They are not going to ban inhalers merely change the propellant used - which happened here years ago so I have no idea why America is dragging it's butt and then screaming poor - it is not as if there is any new technology or product to justify the price hike
 
1Perry said:
Everything is a minor issue until they are all added together.
Click to expand...

Like there is 200 million asthmatics worldwide and about 300 million COPD sufferers who were using CFC's - the question still remains - if all the other countries have swapped over why is it costing America so much? Although Wiki gives us some clues - as well as a heads up that this might only be temporary

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2005 mandated all (including salbutamol) inhalers containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were to be prohibited in the United States as of December 31, 2008.[16] CFC inhalers had previously been given "essential use" status, exempting it from a CFC-production ban; however, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, they will be phased out; in many other countries, patients have been transitioned to non-CFC based inhalers using hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant. Pharmaceutical manufacturers were expected to produce adequate supplies of alternative (HFA) inhalers by 2009.[citation needed]

Due to patent restrictions, HFA salbutamol inhalers cost significantly more per inhaler than existing generic CFC salbutamol inhalers.[17] Generic HFA salbutamol inhalers are not expected to reach the United States market until after 2012 due to existing patents.[17]

Salbutamol is widely used, and accounts for anywhere from 78% of all bronchodilator prescriptions in 2005 to 85% in 2008.[18] However, patients in the United States who cannot tolerate the HFA salbutamol inhalers will not have a single salbutamol alternative available to them domestically after December 31, 2008.[19] The FDA did not approve any alternatives to HFA and there are few standard inhaled lung medications in the United States that come in dry powder inhaler (DPI) versions. Noticeably missing is salbutamol in DPI form in the United States, although it is available in most of the rest of the world in salbutamol DPIs.
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol
 
Last edited:
Manc Skipper said:
One specific brand of OTC inhaler uses the banned CFC as a propellant. "Primatine Mist" is the only single sole unique aerosol can inhaler which still does this. Nobody is banning inhalers as a group. Far-right talking point central is pushing your buttons again. Relax.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out. I only know of Primatine Mist, though there may be other over the counter inhalers. I was long ago prescribed Albuterol until I informed my doctor that Albuterol was no longer working.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom