Meeting the Needs of the Patient

With 70 percent of asthma patients using MDIs, it is essential that both they and their doctors remain confident that their medication will continue to prevent and relieve symptoms.

A major education programme is underway to reassure patients and health professionals that asthma medication would retain the same high standards of safety and efficacy during and after
the transition to CFC-free MDIs.

The transition from CFC-containing to CFC-free MDIs will take time to complete, because of the large number of products that have to be reformulated. Patients and health professionals need to be aware that the existing and new generation of MDIs may be simultaneously available during the transition period.

The advice given to health professionals, via medical symposia and educational literature, and to patients and their care-givers has included:

• the transition to reformulated CFC-free MDIs is occurring because of the link between CFCs and ozone depletion.
  
  
• the existing CFC-containing MDIs are well-tolerated and effective and will remain available as long as they are essential for patient care.
  
  
• new CFC-free MDIs are being developed to be therapeutically comparable to the ones they will replace. CFC-free MDIs have passed extensive safety and efficacy tests and, while sprays may taste and feel different to patients, they will deliver consistent-sized doses of medication throughout the life of the inhaler.
  
  
• the CFC-free replacements will be brought to each market on a product-by-product basis as soon as is practicable after regulatory approvals are granted.