Health concern as inhaler is withdrawn
Health fears have been raised for hundreds of people in Northamptonshire because a special inhaler is being withdrawn because it is not environmentally-friendly.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The Combivent inhaler is being withdrawn from the UK market by German firm, Boehringer Ingelheim, by next summer because of the Montreal Protocal environment agreement which applies to EU countries.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.
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Man dies following motorway smash on Northamptonshire border
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- BREAKING NEWS: Police name man killed in crash on motorway in Northamptonshire
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- Neighbours raise concern about bid to build new house three inches from their home
- BREAKING NEWS: Fishmarket art gallery offered new home
- Student flats planned for Northampton town centre revealed
- New manager of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre says ‘This is the beginning of a new era’
- BREAKING NEWS: Police inundated with hundreds of complaints over snowball fights
- Northamptonshire MP leads bid against wind farm subsidies
- Exclusive: Saints voluntarily move key Heineken Cup match to Milton Keynes
- Ashton determined to end Saints career on a high
- West Northamptonshire Development Corporation in bid to purchase site of former power station
- Lifeguard Lane not looking to save Bloy
- Duston woman makes it to Masterchef finals
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
