Inhalers used in Europe/Asia v/s US

Asthma is a prevalent condition in our world today. It is estimated by the World Health Organization that about 235 million people suffer from asthma throughout the world. In the United States, 10% of the population is asthmatic. The prevalence of asthma is also increasing outside of the US with higher incidences in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland (where 15% of the population is estimated to suffer from asthma) and Canada (just over 14%).

Source: http://www.reportlinker.com/ci02255/Respiratory-Devices.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Respiratory_Devices

Inhalers are the primary form of asthma treatment throughout the world. In the US and Europe, the majority of asthma inhalers are either dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs). ?In Asia and Latin America, asthma management is done predominantly with MDIs which are generally a lower cost inhaler for patients than DPIs. Healthcare reforms in these regions are making asthma diagnosis and medication more available to asthmatics.

More recently, it has become easier to buy inhalers because of the introduction of over the counter (OTC) inhalers which are available in the US and England. In the US, Primatene mist inhalers were sold as OTC inhalers but because they use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are harmful to the ozone layer, they were taken off the shelves. In England, 5.2 million people suffer from asthma and they use two different types of inhalers, rescue inhalers and preventer inhalers. In July 2012, Asda (a British supermarket chain) started selling blue reliever inhalers (a rescue inhaler) as OTC inhalers without a prescription. These inhalers contain the drug salbutamol and are used if someone is wheezing or suffering an asthma attack.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18936197

There are some inhalers that are available worldwide and some that are only available in the US or only available in Europe. Some inhalers have been discontinued in the US market, but are available in Europe such as the Ventolin Rotahaler (albuterol), Brethaire terbutaline, Flovent Rotadisks, and the Flovent Rotahaler (see the pictures of the inhalers below).

Ventolin Rotahaler

Source: allergy.peds.arizona.edu

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Brethaire terbutaline

Source: allergy.peds.arizona.edu

Flovent Rotadisks

Source: allergy.peds.arizona.edu

​Flovent Rotahaler

Source: allergy.peds.arizona.edu

Another inhaler which is an all natural inhaler that has been used for many years in Europe, but has now become more widely used throughout the world is the Himalayan Salt Inhaler (see picture below) which is a drug-free respiratory inhaler in which one inhales small particles of Himalayan Pink Salt through the mouthpiece and it penetrates and cleanses the respiratory system including sinuses, nasal cavities, throat and lungs. European studies have show that inhalation of salt air helps to alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, bronchitis, the effects of smoking, cold and flu symptoms, some types of snoring and other respiratory problems.

​Himalayan Salt Inhaler

Source: www