28 mrt 2024 om 22:25 Update: 5 min. geleden
There is currently a serious shortage of ‘puffs’ for people with asthma. Long Alliance Netherlands reported this on Thursday. Most pharmacies would already have nothing in stock, or would run out within two weeks.
About 550,000 lung patients could experience acute problems if they do not have access to the puff, the trade organization writes. This group includes 85,000 children up to the age of 6 who are not yet allowed to use alternative inhalers.
Alternatives to the puff, known in the medical world as salbutamol aerosol, are also available in very limited quantities. “Consider ipratropium aersol,” the Lung Alliance writes on its own website.
According to the NOS the shortages were caused by production problems at manufacturers. The broadcaster writes, based on the pharmacy organization KNMP, that the hope is to fill the shortages within a few weeks.
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. It can manifest itself in all kinds of forms: from coughing fits to shortness of breath. Salbutamol widens the airways, making it easier for the body to absorb oxygen.
The Long Alliance has published an overview of alternatives to puffs. Depending on their age, patients can switch to other inhalers or powders. The salbutamol puffs that are still available should be reserved as much as possible for young children.
