§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to introduce measures to phase out the use of CFCs in aerosols for medical use. [10410]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have been asked to reply.
CFCs may continue to be produced for use in the manufacture of metered dose inhalers—MDIs—under essential use exemption under the Montreal protocol, and EC regulation 3093/94 by which the protocol is implemented in the EU. Decision VIII/8 bis of the eighth meeting of the parties to the Montreal protocol in November 1996 noted that a transition is occurring from
221Wthe use of CFC-based MDIs to non-CFC treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and encouraged developed countries to take measures to ensure a smooth and efficient transition, and protect the health and safety of patients. The Government have accordingly begun to prepare a transition strategy which will assist the orderly phase-out of CFCs in the application as suitable non-CFC-based treatments become available.