Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier as Walmart Announces $9 Environmentally Sustainable Inhaler
Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
12.31.2008 - 03:00pm ET
News from:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier as Walmart Announces $9 Environmentally Sustainable Inhaler
Doctors, patients benefit from dose counter to monitor use
"Environmentally-friendly HFA asthma rescue inhalers hit shelves this week to replace CFC-based inhalers, which will not be available after Dec. 31 per an FDA mandate. Walmart's HFA rescue inhalers start at $9."
(CSRwire) BENTONVILLE, Ark. - December 31, 2008 – As part of its continued
commitment to provide accessible, affordable medications to those who need
it most, Walmart today announced it will carry an environmentally friendly
albuterol rescue inhaler starting at $9, the lowest-priced inhaler on the
market. The ReliOn(R) Ventolin HFA inhalers, sold exclusively at
Walmart*, will ease the transition as asthma sufferers are
forced to replace their CFC-powered inhalers with new HFA inhalers in the
new year to comply with an FDA mandate.
"While some HFA inhalers may sell for as much as $60 for certain brands,
our $9 ReliOn Ventolin HFA inhaler will ease the financial burden for
sufferers of asthma who should not go without these life-saving
medications," said Sandy Kinsey, Walmart's divisional merchandise manager
for pharmacy. "As an advocate for our customers, we're committed to
ensuring they have access to affordable medicine they cannot live
without."
According to the 2007 National Institutes of Health (NIH) asthma treatment
guidelines, overuse of albuterol is a sign of uncontrolled asthma. With 60
metered inhalations, the ReliOn Ventolin HFA inhaler helps both patients
and health care professionals monitor and track usage via the dose counter
to identify overuse of albuterol. Additionally, it helps patients track how
many puffs remain in their inhaler so they do not run out of their rescue
medication when they need it most.
Walmart offers other affordable medications* for those
suffering from the disease, including:Albuterol 2mg
tab$4 for 90 tablets$10 for 270
tabletsAlbuterol 4mg tab$4 for 60
tablets$10 for 180 tabletsAlbuterol
2mg/5ml syrup$4 for 120ml$10 for
360ml
For further information about Walmart's affordable prescription program,
customers can visit www.walmart.com/pharmacy or
discuss the program with their local Walmart, Neighborhood Market or Sam's
Club pharmacist.
*Products and pharmacies are not available in North
Dakota
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, supercenters,
Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to
its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its
Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart
(NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers
and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more
than $296 million to local communities in the United States. More
information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online
merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
For more information please contact:
Christi Galagher
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
1-800-331-0085
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