WATERLOO -- If they haven't already, asthma sufferers will soon be going green.

The federal government will phase out traditional inhalers, which propel asthma medication using ozone-thinning chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, by Dec. 31, 2008. The new inhalers, which contain hydrofluoralkane, or HFA, will use a weaker propellant that is warmer and tastes different.

The American Lung Association cautions that the new inhalers cost more, which could make them inaccessible to those without insurance. Earlier this year, the association said HFA inhalers cost from $30 to $60, compared with $5 to $25 for a generic CFC inhaler. However, local health providers said there is no reason a person should forgo the new inhalers for financial reasons.

Shannon Garcia, a pharmicst for Peoples Clinic, said they offer a low-income assistance program through government funding, which makes them about half the price of those at commercial pharmacies.

Pharmacists also said drug companies promoting the new brand-name HFA inhalers have provided free samples of their product to most pharmacies and physicians, making them readily available, at least for the time being.

"If people do have income challenges, we can give them the samples," Garcia said.

In addition, two of the biggest local insurance providers recently lowered the co-pay for name-brand inhalers to their lowest price tier.

In March, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield lowered the price of the HFA inhaler ProAir to $2 to $10 for most customers. UnitedHealthCare, which purchased John Deere Health Care last year, began offering Xopenex inhalers for $5 to $10 last month.

Pharmacists said some people have been reluctant to make the switch because the new inhalers taste different and push a warmer and weaker stream of air into the lungs. With old inhalers being phased out and their prices up to $35 each, people will soon have no choice but to make the switch. Additionally, as more HFA inhalers go on the market, pharmicists expect the price to drop to reflect increased competition.

"I think there's going to be a lot of confusion for the next year or so, because people won't want to switch because they're familiar with (CFC inhalers)," said Amy Bucknell, Allen Pharmacy manager.

However, Garcia said the backlash to the change from her patients hasn't been too strong. She said most people are simply unaware of the switch, and reluctantly make the move to the environmentally friendly inhalers.

"A lot of people just like what they've been using, and want to know why the price has increased," she said.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.