Glossary of Terms

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chlorofluorocarbons. Stable chemicals containing chlorine and fluorine. They were first developed in the 1920s and are non-toxic, non-flammable and non-corrosive. CFCs have variety of uses including aerosol propellants and are ozone depleting

Dry powder inhalers

Hydrofluoroalcanes. A propellant, developed specifically for use in pharmaceutical industry as an alternative to CFCs in MDIs

Metered dose inhalers. They use a propellant to aerolise the drug formulation for delivery into the lungs

An international agreement to preserve the stratospheric ozone layer which protects the earth from harmful radiation. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was signed to meet the requirement on a transition away from CFCs.

National Lung Health Blood Institute

Soft Mist™ Inhaler. A new generation inhaler. Respimat® is the first Soft Mist™ Inhaler.

World Health Organisation