FDA Strikes Again

[Longhair]

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[emor]

From your link:

"Dan Dischner, an Amphastar spokesman, says that the company’s subsidiary, Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, is currently in talks with the FDA about introducing a new version of the drug using a different propellant, but that won’t happen before the ban on the current drug kicks in. In the meantime, the FDA says there are many prescription choices for asthma, including albuterol inhalers."

[i_got_a_mohawk]

If they are going to ban it, they should at least wait until the drug is re-released with a new propellant!

There are a lot of choices out there, but they are not all even and different people react differently with different drugs etc.

[Longhair]

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[DanAleks]

Originally Posted by Longhair

A Primatene Mist rescue inhaler costs under $20. The doctor prescribed equivalent alone (without the doctor bill) is 3 times the cost. This means insurance rates for everybody will be going up to absorb the extra costs.

For the record, I have asthma and crap insurance.

The most recent information I can find is from 2009, so I'll compare 2009 to 2009.

Population in 2009 - 307,006,550 US Census figures
2009 Population with asthma - 17,500,000 CDC numbers
Estimated cost of prescription inhaler - $60*

SO:
17,500,000 * $60 = $1,050,000,000.00

$1,050,000,000.00 / 307,006,550 = $3.42.

The sky is not falling. We'll be fine.

Tainted ground turkey burger, anyone?

*Using your numbers, over 3 times the cost of Primatene.
After your initial visit, you should be able to call the doctor's
office and get the prescription refilled with no cost for a visit.

[emor]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I got from the article is that the company is working on a product with a different propellant that they will put on the market when the ban goes into effect.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Longhair

Have you ever had an asthma attack, reached for your rescue inhaler only to find out that it is empty? These things do happen everyday to people and most times it happens outside of doctor's visiting hours (read: nights and weekends).

A Primatene Mist rescue inhaler costs under $20. The doctor prescribed equivalent alone (without the doctor bill) is 3 times the cost. This means insurance rates for everybody will be going up to absorb the extra costs.

I have had PLENTY of asthma attacks and ran out of inhalers more than a few times.

I am neutral on the withdrawal of Primatine.

Use of rescue inhalers means the asthma is inadequately controlled. Long acting bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, 1-2 allergy meds, as well as avoiding triggers are extremely effective. I grew up before the good long acting inhaled bronchodilators and good inhaled steroids were available. Once they came out, getting my asthma under control was child's play.

[Let It Fall]

Originally Posted by DanAleks

For the record, I have asthma and crap insurance.

The most recent information I can find is from 2009, so I'll compare 2009 to 2009.

Population in 2009 - 307,006,550 US Census figures
2009 Population with asthma - 17,500,000 CDC numbers
Estimated cost of prescription inhaler - $60*

SO:
17,500,000 * $60 = $1,050,000,000.00

$1,050,000,000.00 / 307,006,550 = $3.42.

The sky is not falling. We'll be fine.

Tainted ground turkey burger, anyone?

*Using your numbers, over 3 times the cost of Primatene.
After your initial visit, you should be able to call the doctor's
office and get the prescription refilled with no cost for a visit.

That's assuming that 100% of Americans pay taxes/insurance which is far from close! And to top it off I DON'T WANT TO PAY YOUR DAMN 3.50 every month