Rep. TJ Cox Urges FDA to Ensure Asthma Patients Have Access to Inhalers
Today, Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA-21) joined Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY-16), Fred Upton (R-MI-6) and Peter King (R-NY-2) in leading a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the FDA to work with stakeholders and patient advocates to take actions to ensure that there are enough albuterol inhalers for individuals living with asthma and those battling coronavirus.
The demand for albuterol, a drug used to treat respiratory issues, has increased sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The drug can help reduce the inflammation of airways and has been ordered by hospitals to help treat breathing problems caused by COVID-19. The increased demand for albuterol from hospitals, combined with patients seeking extended supplies of prescriptions, may make it harder for patients with asthma to access albuterol. If access to the drug continues to be limited, patients could experience asthma attacks that could lead to hospitalizations, putting more strain on hospitals already stretched thin by this pandemic.
“Representing the Central Valley, where we have the most polluted air quality in the nation and high rates of chronic lung disease, I know how important it is that Americans living with asthma have access to the medication they need,” said Rep. Cox. “Many of the rural communities in my district are already getting hit hard by the coronavirus. I am working every day to make sure everyone living with asthma has access to the medication they need, and I will continue to fight for them during this crisis.”
Several organizations have supported the letter, including the American Lung Association and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
“Asthma impacts nearly 25 million Americans,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. “For these Americans, it is of the utmost importance that they continue to be able to access their asthma medications and other treatments. The Lung Association greatly appreciates the work of Congress and the Food and Drug Administration to ensure access to these life-saving treatments will not be threatened by the increase in demand brought on by this pandemic.”
“We share Reps. Engel, Upton, Cox, and King concerns about potential shortages of the asthma drug albuterol during this COVID-19 pandemic and thank them for raising this critical issue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “With the increased demand for albuterol canisters from hospitals, we want to make sure there’s ready access of albuterol for people with asthma. Albuterol is the primary rescue medication to treat asthma attacks and without albuterol, people are more likely to experience asthma attacks that they can’t control. This could potentially increase hospitalizations. Our hope is that state, federal and private sectors coordinate efforts to protect access to asthma drugs before any official shortage is recorded.”
The CDC has determined that people with moderate or severe asthma are at higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. One in thirteen individuals in the U.S. – nearly 25 million people – are living with asthma, and these numbers are worse in the Central Valley. More than 550,000 residents in the Valley have asthma, a fifth of them are children. If the FDA can increase access to asthma medication, we can keep people healthier, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and lessen the stress put on our health system during this crisis. That will save lives and save money.
Read the full letter text here