Fianna Fail Welcome CF Inhaler

The Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson has welcomed the launch of a new hand-held inhaler designed for sufferers of cystic fibrosis.

The inhaler cuts down on the time needed to take an antibiotic treatment and is a ‘wireless’ drug called the ‘Podhaler’, which is used instead of the traditional nebuliser.

Responding to the news, Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher said Ireland had the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis in the world and progress that has been made through this new inhaler would transform how patients receive treatment.

"I am aware that the inhaler operates by delivering a powdered blast of the drugs that tackle the risk of chronic lung infections in only a matter of minutes and therefore reduces the need for people with CF to spend long periods in a day received medication at home on a nebuliser.

“In all the progress that has been made in making Ireland a world leader in research and technology I think there is scope for significantly increasing the research around CF. While Ireland does have the highest incidence of this condition globally Ireland can also be to the fore in transforming the lives of people suffering from CF.

The ‘Podhaler’ reduces the time needed to receive antibiotic treatment from almost an hour a day (connected to a mains-powered nebuliser) to just five or six minutes.

Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis per capita in the world with one in 19 people carrying the gene responsible for the disease.

“I understand that this new Podhaler could benefit half of the 1300 people suffering with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. This is hugely significant. I want to take this opportunity to commend the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and the countless people across Ireland who support their work and people suffering with this condition,” Deputy Kelleher said.

(DW)