The results of a recently published study undertaken by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), a Virginia-based non-profit organization, verify that many asthma sufferers using metered dose inhalers do not know how much medicine is left in their MDI at any given time. Even more disturbing was that 25 percent of the asthma sufferers in the study admitted that they found their inhalers empty during an asthma attack, and seven patients had to call 911 for assistance.

This study, published in the July 2006 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, reported that the asthma-related mortality rate is on the rise. With metered dose inhalers being the cornerstone of asthma treatment, Nancy Sander, president of AANMA, who spearheaded the study, called on manufacturers to add dose counters to MDIs. In so doing, Ms. Sander stressed that only approximately one-third of patients surveyed were ever advised by a health care professional to keep track of how often they used their inhalers.

Dr. Frank O'Donnell, CEO of Accentia, highlights the problems associated with current MDIs and states, "Not having an accurate idea of how much medicine is left in an inhaler can lead to a host of problems. Unfortunately, some users may think they are getting their normal dose of medicine and in all actuality are inhaling inactive ingredients, which can lead to serious consequences." Methods of estimating how much medicine is in an inhaler, including the popular "shake and listen" method, are unreliable, cautions Dr. O'Donnell.

The study's findings agree: "It is wholly unacceptable that so many patients, believing they are equipped with the means to manage their asthma and life-threatening episodes, are actually using an empty inhaler and putting their lives at risk."

MD Turbo, developed by Respirics Inc. and marketed by Accentia Biopharmaceuticals Inc., is the first and only device able to transform most of the commonly prescribed metered dose inhalers into breath-activated, dose-counting inhalers.

With MD Turbo, Dr. O'Donnell explains, you are able to eliminate the need to coordinate the press-and-breathe action required for proper use of an inhaler, because the MD Turbo automatically delivers the dose at the right time during inspiration. The device also counts the remaining doses in the inhaler so patients always know how much medication remains.