Asa Hutchinson: “Today, as you may be aware, is Asthma Awareness Day. I rise to discuss the issue of CFC-propelled asthma inhalers.…”

“Today, as you may be aware, is Asthma Awareness Day. I rise to discuss the issue of CFC-propelled asthma inhalers. CFC-propelled inhalers are a necessary tool for proper management of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Over 30 million Americans depend on these inhalers in order to function normally in their daily lives. In many cases, they are literally the difference between life and death. I recently joined my colleague, Senator DeWine, in introducing S. 2026, the Asthma Inhaler Protection Act. This bill is a revised version of legislation that I introduced last year in response to the Food and Drug Administration's announcement of its plans to issue a rule that will phase out the production of CFC-propelled inhalers. The FDA's announcement to phase-out metered-dose inhalers was prompted by the Montreal Protocol agreement to eliminate ozone depleting chemicals, including CFCs. In the U.S., the manufacture of CFCs was discontinued in January of 1996. CFCs may still be used, however, as long as their use qualifies as an 'essential use.' Currently, inhalers are considered as 'essential use' and are exempt from the CFC ban. As the United States contemplates total elimination of CFCs and removal of the essential use designation for inhalers, we face several issues. First of all, how fast should we phase out CFC inhalers and will patients' health be jeopardized?”