Position Statement for Health Professionals

CFC-Free Metered Dose Inhalers

• For environmental reasons, Australia is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

• Supply of CFCs in Australia has been all but phased out other than in asthma aerosol inhalers. The agreed phase-out date for all CFC-containing asthma inhalers is the end of 2005.

• On 1 February, 1999, the first CFC-free inhalers became available.

• The new inhalers are similar to the current ones but patients may experience some difference in taste and feel. These new inhalers have been developed carefully to ensure that the medication is delivered effectively and safely to patients.

• The changes have been made for environmental reasons - to stop further damage to the world's ozone layer and to promote its recovery.

• Dry powder reliever medications will continue to be available.

Throughout the transition period, patients should be advised:

• that the use of CFC-containing inhalers does not constitute a health risk;
• that CFC-containing inhalers have a minimal environmental impact; as their use has always been very low in comparison to industrial and other use;
• the new HFA-containing inhalers will provide the same benefits (despite any minor changes in taste, feel or appearance);
• MOST IMPORTANTLY patients should not change or stop taking their asthma medication without consulting their doctor.

If patients are concerned about their medication they should seek information from their doctor, pharmacist or local Asthma Foundation.