KARACHI, July 3 Stakeholders at a workshop on Saturday stressed the need for an early adoption of non-CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) technology in the preparation of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) which are used by a majority of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients in the country.They were of the view that doctors and patients could play a vital role in helping the government phase out ozone-depleting CFC by the end of 2011 through relevant education and awareness programmes.

The workshop was organised by the federal environment ministry's ozone cell, UNEP and UNDP to review the progress made so far on the transition strategy for conversion of CFC-based MDIs to non-CFC technology. Representatives from the government, medical profession, conservation sector, media and civil society organisations attended the workshop, which was chaired by Federal Minister for the Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi.

Mr Afridi told the participants that the workshop was an opportunity to sensitise them about the environmental hazards caused by CFC-based inhalers and share information and knowledge in order to evolve a strategy for the conversion of the industry to CFC-free technology.

Observing that ozone layer depletion was an international problem, he said that the response from the world community to tackle the issue was commendable, adding that developed countries were well ahead of others in switching over to ozone-friendly technologies from the ozone-damaging technologies.

“There are three Karachi-based pharmaceutical companies manufacturing CFC-based MDIs to cater to the needs of about 25 million patients of asthma and lung-related diseases. They have now realised the need for phasing out the CFC-based technologies and are looking for environment-friendly alternatives,” he observed. He held out the assurance that the government was committed to helping these companies adopt a cost-effective phase-out strategy.

The minister said that his ministry was even ready to consider relaxation in duties and relevant taxes for the import of the desired technology, equipment and raw material in order to develop facilities leading to the adoption of affordable CFC-free inhalers in the country.

Earlier, the participants of the workshops were informed that Pakistan along with 195 other countries was a signatory to the Montreal Protocol (1987), an international agreement requiring all states to replace CFCs with some environment-friendly alternatives. Under the protocol, Pakistan put a ban on the use of first generation ozone-depleting substances with effect from December 31, 2009. However, a small percentage of CFCs would be phased out by December 2011 for some special considerations that existed in view of the country's inability, like some other developing states, to immediately switch over to the new and safer technologies.

The transition could not be ensured for various reasons, including the high cost of non-CFC technologies, exorbitant technology transfer, outmoding of the existing inhaler preparation arrangements and equipment, non-acceptability among patients of CFC-free inhalers carrying hydrofluroalkanes (HFAs) as the propellant, as well as a little chance of availability of any cost-effective inhalers during the transition period.

Some of the speakers referred to certain reports suggesting that non-CFC inhalers, which were available in many countries and also being imported in Pakistan, were more expensive than the CFC-based inhalers. “The non-CFC inhalers sound, feel, taste or smell different for their different ingredients. This has certainly doubled the tasks of manufacturers and doctors,” they said.

An expert at the workshop, however, informed them that extensive clinical trials had been conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of the CFC-free metered dose inhalers. “They were found not only suitable for human health but also having a number of additional benefits,” he said, adding that the new inhalers contained exactly the same medicine as the CFC-based inhalers, thus equally effective.The workshop participants were told that it was not possible to do away with inhalers as MDIs provided the best treatment to asthma and COPD patients.

A senior environment official from Islamabad said “The sooner we complete the transition to the ozone-friendly inhalers, the sooner Pakistan will earn its place in the list of countries entering the final stage of withdrawal of CFS-based inhalers.”Those who spoke at the workshop included Abid Ali, joint secretary (international cooperation) and national programme director of the environment ministry, Dr Nisar Rao, Abdul Qadir Rafiq of the UNDP, Dr Sohail Akhtar, Prof Javed A. Khan, Dr M. Osman Yusuf and representatives from the pharmaceutical industries manufacturing the CFC-based inhalers.

The UNEP regional coordinator for Asia and Pacific Atul Bagi said that South Asia was the largest CFC products manufacturing region. Pakistan needed to convert to HFA technologies as quickly as possible to catch up with the international market while meeting its internal requirements of new inhalers, he added.

He said that since the CFCs would not be available globally in the next couple of years, the countries not switching over to the non-CFCs would have to rely badly on import of the products from China, allowed to produce and use CFCs till 2017.

Pervez Anwar, the national expert in the environment ministry, told the audience that the change of technology involved huge funds but a multilateral fund established under the Montreal Protocol would help developing countries address the financial problem.

A memorandum of agreement with one of the three industries in question will be signed soon, he added.