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Post by LindaNY on Jul 28, 2007 22:45:10 GMT -5
Today I went to pick up a refill of my Pulmicort inhaler, 200mcg. The pharmacist came over to me and told me the new Pulmicort is now 180mcg.  Has anyone else noticed this change? When I asked why, she said the company didn't tell them but she strongly suspects that the patent is about to run out and the 200mcg will go generic. So much less cost to us and less money for the company. Naturally the company will make a small change in the formula, such as changing one molecule, and put out a new product with a slightly different name. $$$$$$$  |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jul 30, 2007 8:25:42 GMT -5
I'd love to help you out Linda but.....
Surely someone else uses Pulmicort here?
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Post by the bear on Jul 30, 2007 9:03:32 GMT -5
Linda if no one here can help, how about efforts?? |
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Post by LindaNY on Jul 30, 2007 9:49:45 GMT -5
Thanks. I'll be looking around to see if anyone else has had a recent refill that was fewer mcgs.
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Post by Vic on Jul 30, 2007 10:33:31 GMT -5
Linda -- From what I can make out: · The new Pulmicort Flexhaler (180mcg) delivers 160mcg of budesonide.· The Pulmicort Turbuhaler (200mcg) also delivers 160mcg of budesonide.A rather odd result though is the effectiveness of the 160mcg doses compared to each other. See the chart on the site below (pdf file):www.astrazeneca-us.com/pi/pulmicortfh.pdfI really can not figure out why there is a difference, and being that there is a difference and the Turbuhaler scores higher, why the change? Also, the new Flexhaler has only 120 activations compared to 200 for the Turbuhaler...that I can figure out...more $$$$$$$$. -- Vic
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Post by LindaNY on Jul 30, 2007 10:56:33 GMT -5
Thank thank, thank you , thank you so much Larry. Now it's perfectly clear and all about money I should have investigated this more myself, but I'm just going nuts with this house sale and my son's wedding. No excuse I know, but it's mine and I'm sticking to it. ;D |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jul 30, 2007 11:15:27 GMT -5
Thanks Vic.....you've always been a BIG help in the med deciphering areas.
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Post by LindaNY on Jul 30, 2007 11:38:47 GMT -5
Oh good grief!!! Vic, please forgive me. I saw the dog Avatar and immediately though of Larry. He uses a dog on other forums in his avatar. Unfortunately I didn't take time to read the name of the poster. I am really embarrassed.  |
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Post by maryaz on Jul 30, 2007 23:22:26 GMT -5
Vic, I keep getting more and more confused. Again this is ASTRA ZENECA and the same people that put out symbicort in those strange numbers for USA use.
I am bugging my relative that still has not answered me about the symbicort. I sort of feel since he works for them, I am still not going to get a real answer.
I take it you are saying that they changed the amount and the type of gadget to take it the pulmicort. Thereby being able to consider it a new drug and then won't be generic for years? Is that what you meant? I am not familiar with the original Pulmicort and that is why I got a little lost.
Linda expected 200mcg and got 180mcg?? That is awful what they are doing and no explanations. Not fair. Maybe we missed something somewhere.
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Post by maryaz on Jul 31, 2007 0:13:02 GMT -5
I just could not leave this alone. I am really wondering what Astra Zeneca is doing with all the dose changing. Maybe others are changing too, I don't know. I went to the FDA site and searched Pulmicort. You need to search the page for 'pulmicort' as it is down a ways and nearer the bottom. I don't remember reading about any of this. www.fda.gov/CDER/drug/shortages/default.htmFirst it list: Pulmicort Turbuhaler 200mcg (budesonide inhalation powder) 5/ /2007 Then it shows their contact information and then the following: NDA 20-441, PULMICORT TURBUHALER 200 mcg (budesonide inhalation powder) will no longer be available at AstraZeneca.
The introduction of PULMICORT FLEXHALER (budesonide inhalation powder, 90 & 180 mcg), NDA 21-949, will be accompanied by the phasing out of PULMICORT TURBUHALER so as to minimize confusion in the marketplace.
AstraZeneca has no further plans to manufacture NDA 20-441, PULMICORT TURBUHALER 200 mcg (budesonide inhalation powder). |
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Post by LindaNY on Jul 31, 2007 8:29:56 GMT -5
As I said, the patent is ready to expire so Pulmicort 200 will go generic and be marketed by anyone who wants to market it. $$$$$$$ |
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Post by the bear on Jul 31, 2007 11:12:22 GMT -5
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Post by LindaNY on Jul 31, 2007 16:18:46 GMT -5
They aren't going to learn because they know they will always have a market for these products.
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/2007 
