At the end of this month, the inhalers that millions of people with asthma use to control their symptoms will no longer be available. Those inhalers can prevent an asthma attack or relieve symptoms once one has begun.
The problem is that the inhalers propel the medication with chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer.
Effective Dec. 31, drug companies will no longer be able to manufacture or sell the CFC inhalers. "This is the first time that an effective medication has been removed from the market in the USA for an environmental issue," said Dr. Ira Feingold of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. |