Senate Votes Down DeMint's Proposal to Protect Inhalers

Sen. Jim DeMint blasted the federal government Tuesday after the Senate voted down a proposed amendment that would have protected a popular over-the-counter asthma inhaler from a Food and Drug Administration looming ban.

The FDA plans to take an epinephrine asthma inhaler known as Primatene Mist off the shelves. The product is currently the only FDA-approved over-the-counter inhaler and is being banned because it uses chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, as a propellant. The substance is considered harmful to the ozone layer.

DeMint’s proposed amendment -- which would have cut off funding for the implementation of the ban -- failed by a vote of 44-54.

“Fifty-four Senators voted to appease extreme environmentalists by banning inhalers that millions of Americans depend on to breathe,” DeMint, R-S.C., said. “This ban won’t do anything serious to help the environment but it will force asthma suffers to spend two to three times more on prescription inhalers, leading many low-income Americans to seek less effective remedies.”

He added: “Once again, Washington is willing to put Americans at risk in the hopes of appeasing special interests.”

In October, DeMint's office noted that CFC emissions from U.S. inhalers make up just a tiny fraction of total CFC emissions.

The FDA push to regulate the chemical in inhalers has been under way since 2006. It stems from an international treaty signed under the Reagan administration.

In lieu of Primatene Mist, the FDA has suggested users of the product get a prescription for sanctioned inhalers, such as those that use an "environmentally friendly" propellant known as HFA.

But with the clock ticking, the phase-out has raised concerns. The FDA has acknowledged it's been a challenge to get the word out about the looming change.