Asthma treatment

http://www.healasthma.com – . Tribune-Democrat, The (Johnstown, PA) – Asthma inhalers now more eco-friendly Jan. –Although he tried to ease them into the change, many of Dr. Patrick Gray’s patients were not pleased their old, familiar asthma inhalers won’t be available. “I have gotten more complaints than I expected,” Gray said.Beginning today, asthma inhalers go “green,” eliminating the less-expensive generic brands of rescue inhalers delivering puffs of albuterol.Inhalers with chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, have… . New York Times, The BUSINESS DIGEST Copley to Pay Million In Respiratory-Drug Suit Copley Pharmaceutical agreed to pay as much as million to settle suits charging that albuterol, its respiratory drug used by asthmatics and others, made people ill or even led to their deaths. The tentative settlement halted a -day trial that involved deaths and injuries all across the country.Last year Copley recalled all of its albuterol, nearly four million vials, saying the action was merely a precaution. But… Mother claims NU playing blame game, Will calls for independent investigation into Wheeler’s death The mother of Northwestern football player Rashidi Wheeler, who died of an asthma attack during an Aug. conditioning drill, said Monday she thinks the university is launching an all-out attack on her son’s credibility in an effort to deflect blame. Linda Will questions the origin of reports that Wheeler suffered asthma attacks while at NU, suggesting he wasn’t managing his problem properly, and that he had taken NCAA-banned supplements. Will also… Recalled drug a serious threat to some patients WASHINGTON — An inhalation solution being recalled by a generic drug company poses special risks of serious infection to asthma patients and others with breathing problems.Those at risk include patients with AIDS, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive lung disease and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.Copley Pharmaceutical Inc. said some of its -milliliter Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution was contaminated by microbial organisms.Albuterol is a… PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SHUTS DOWN Summary Federal officials withdraw PulmoCare Pharmacy Inc.’s Medicare reimbursement A Portland pharmaceutical company is closing down, after federal authorities said it was improperly making a drug and withdrew its Medicare reimbursement.The action will put employees out of work.PulmoCare Pharmacy Inc. said it had been dispensing the drug albuterol nationally via mail order, based on doctors’ prescriptions — as any pharmacy would. However, the Food and… . McClatchy-Tribune Regional News (USA) – New inhalers help environment, not just breathing Jan. DECATUR Those using albuterol inhalers to treat such conditions as asthma and COPD have likely noticed a change in their medication lately.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently phased out older versions of the inhalers, which used environmentally unfriendly chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, as a propellant to deliver the medicine.Instead, as of inhalers with the propellant hydrofluoroalkane, a more environmentally friendly alternative, are available.Pharmacist… . Orlando Sentinel, The Doctors suspect rush on old asthma inhalers With the year drawing close, people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments only have until Wednesday before the last of the inhalers that use ozone-depleting chemicals disappear from pharmacy shelves, replaced with new “green” devices. The new devices are more expensive, raising the possibility of last-minute hoarding.Why the added cost?Most of the new hydrofluoralkane (HFA) inhalers cost between and , whereas the old inhalers are… . Do the new asthma inhalers work as well as the old ones? HEALTH ANSWERS Yes, but they take some getting used to. For years, the propellant in inhalers was chlorofluorocarbon. The CFC helped push the active drug, such as albuterol, out of the canister and into the airways, making breathing easier for people with asthma. But CFCs damage the earth’s ozone layer and have therefore been eliminated from many products.Now that good alternative inhalers are available, the US Food and Drug Administration has ruled that CFC… . Suit describes huge spread in drug prices, Firms overcharging, Lautenschlager claims Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager takes albuterol sulfate for her asthma, so she was stunned to learn that the published wholesale price set by a company that makes it was . a few years ago — three times the . that some businesses were then paying for it. That % spread, or difference, between the wholesale price set by Schering-Plough, the manufacturer, and the deeply discounted price some businesses were paying for it was one example of alleged price gouging cited… TAMPA Free breathing products available Albuterol products, for those with breathing disabilities, are available free to people who qualify for the In Home Rx Program. The products include breathing medications and nebulizers for persons with severe conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD (chronic obstruction pulmonary disease) who meet additional guidelines to the program. For information, call toll-free – - – Information about meetings and events be sent to Connie… –