An estimated 5.2 million people are currently being treated for asthma in the UK.(1) Many of these will be affected when certain inhalers, containing environmentally harmful CFC gases, are removed from UK supply later this year. In an effort to keep people informed and streamline the transition to CFC-free inhalers, a new informationwebsite, www.ourasthma.com has been launched this week.
It may be surprising to learn that some asthma inhalers still contain CFCs, ozone depleting gases that have long been phased out from use in fridges and aerosols. Asthma inhalers, also known as 'puffers', are the most common medication prescribed by doctors to help control asthma, however, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol international agreement, certain inhalers containing CFCs are to be phased out in an attempt to reduce the release of these chemicals into the atmosphere.
Certain inhalers will be affected and replaced by other inhalers, raising fears amongst doctors that people using asthma medication may be alarmed when their usual inhaler is no longer available. Ourasthma.com helps people to identify the different types of inhalers that will be phased out, if their medication is affected and what to do as a result. The website also aims to clarify many of the questions that may arise about the changes underway.
Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and award winning health writer, welcomes ourasthma.com and believes the information it provides is invaluable to patients and GPs alike. "Millions of people with asthma have used the same type of inhaler for years, and could be confused by the change. Some may even be worried by the thought of using a new, unfamiliar type of device.
This website provides useful information in a clear and concise way that people should find very helpful and reassuring."
In addition to answering questions people may have about their inhaler, the website also has current news relating to asthma and a registration page where visitors can request further updates by post, e-mail and text.