Published:

Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier as Walmart Announces $9 Environmentally Sustainable Inhaler

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081230/LATU002)

"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 tablets
    Albuterol 4mg tab         $4 for 60 tablets      $10 for 180 tablets
    Albuterol 2mg/5ml syrup   $4 for 120ml           $10 for 360ml

For further information about Walmart's affordable prescription program, customers can visit http://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 inNorth 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 http://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 inthe United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com.

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Tags: ,REA,HEA,ENV,PDT,HSP,AR-Wal-Mart-Asthma

_ _

Is your favorite bookmark site missing? Ask for it.

NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

TECHNOLOGY

NEWSPAPERS

Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier as Walmart Announces $9 Environmentally Sustainable Inhaler