Phase out of albuterol inhalers

[participant1]

When exactly albuterol inhalers (non-HFA) would need to be phased out? Is it by the end of this year?

[jacqueline.kostick]

According to the FDA, albuterol inhalers that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will no longer be manufactured, marketed, or sold in the US after December 31, 2008. Albuterol inhalers that contain hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) will take the place of albuterol CFC inhalers.

Currently, there are 3 FDA-approved albuterol HFA inhalers with the active ingredient albuterol sulfate:

• ProAir HFA Inhalation Aerosol
• Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol
• Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol.

The final phase out date of other CFC inhalers has not been finalized; however, the FDA has proposed the following schedule:

• flunisolide, triamcinolone, metaproterenol, pirbuterol, cromolyn, nedocomil, and albuterol and iratropium (fixed-combination)- December 31, 2009
• epinephrine- December 31, 2010

Source:
Food and Drug Administration. Available at: Information on the Elimination of Chlorofluorocarbon-containing (CFC) Albuterol MDIs and Other Ozone-Depleting Drug Products

[Nochmar]

From what I understand, they cannot be dispensed after this date, so no point in stock piling