The Return Of OTC Asthma Inhaler Primatene Mist

(RTTNews) - After 7 years of absence, asthma inhaler Primatene Mist, developed by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, is reentering the market with renewed features. The over-the-counter epinephrine inhalation product, which was available since the early 1960s, was taken off the pharmacy shelves in December 2011, as part of an international environmental treaty, because it used chlorofluorcarbon (CFC) propellants, which contribute to ozone depletion.

The new version of OTC asthma inhaler comes with a non-CFC propellant and has features like built-in spray indicator and a metal canister. The older version had a glass canister instead.

Although this brings a quick relief to asthma patients, healthcare professionals are not very happy with the approval. "Asthma is not a 'do-it-yourself' disease that you can treat yourself with OTC medications," Bradley Chipps, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology said.

Amphastar prices the inhaler at $25 per unit and expects to make it available in the market by early 2019.