Health concern as inhaler is withdrawn
Health fears have been raised for hundreds of people in Northamptonshire because a special inhaler is being withdrawn because it is not environmentally-friendly.
Fred Keep, aged 64, needs an easy-to-use spray inhaler like that an asthma sufferer carries when his emphysema gets particularly bad.
But his GP has now issued him with a newer, more complicated version after a drugs company was forced to discontinue the familiar model because it emits ozone-depleting CFCs.
Mr Keep, who was a scenes of crime police officer, but now works in accounts at the Chronicle & Echo, said the new device was too complicated to be used in an emergency and was not as effective as the old inhaler.
He said: "You have to break out the capsule and immediately load it into this fiddly device then fire it before you can breathe in the fumes.
"I'm okay to use it thank goodness but many people with emphysema are elderly so how can someone with rheumatism operate it if they are having bad breathing problems?
"The old one might be bad for the environment but this new one is bad for people."
The Combivent inhaler is being withdrawn from the UK market by German firm, Boehringer Ingelheim, by next summer because of the Montreal Protocal environment agreement which applies to EU countries.
It uses two ingredients together which can otherwise only be taken through two separate inhalers or tablets or the new firing system. Health chiefs at Northamptonshire Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) said many patients in the county would be affected.
Pharmaceutical advisor Sue Smith said: "I expect there are hundreds of people in Northamptonshire who use the Combivent.
"The only alternative will be to wait and see if the drugs company bring out a CFC-free alternative or use the new system."
Boehringer said Combivent users should arrange to see their GP or hospital doctor to find the most appropriate alternative treatment for them.
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