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Manufacturing shutdown causing shortage in Liquid Albuterol to treat asthma nationwide


KEPR File
KEPR File
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Starting in late February, folks with asthma, and many hospitals are experiencing shortages in liquid albuterol. A pharmaceutical company has recently closed multiple US plants.

Ryan Murphy, Acting Instructor, Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Expert at the UW School of Medicine tells us the shortage doesn't lie in small aerosol inhalers or other forms of the medicine, rather in the liquid form, which is used for nebulizers and other treatments, that help make breathing easier.

While State Health Leaders say there's no concerns over shortage in the area right now, with one of only two manufacturers ceasing production in February, and three US Supply Plants closing, it could be something to keep in mind in the coming months.

"Patients haven't felt this quite yet, that are requiring nebulized albuterol. I've told them to kind of expect it over the coming months, but so far, they haven't had issues getting the medication." says Murphy.

State Health Leaders say luckily, Winter time is when the medication is most used. They say there's still time for another supplier to enter the market in the coming months to help avert a nationwide shortage.

Doctors and leaders say patients at home can help keep demand low for the now valuable medicine.

Ryan Murphy says. "One, of course, is to reduce their exposure to certain environmental triggers that are known to worsen their symptoms. But then secondarily, there's this class of controller medications that really treat the underlying disease process that contributes to their underlying lung disease. And being adherent to those treatment regimens is really one of the most important things you can do to limit the need for albuterol."

Doctors say there are also alternative short-acting medications that are less commonly used, like the pharmaceutical cousin of Albuterol called Levalbuterol, which doctors say works just as well to treat Asthma.

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