Health and environment officials, industry representatives and patient groups of Asia and Pacific region countries agreed to work together towards a smooth transition to ozone-friendly metered-dose inhalers (MDI) in Asia Pacific region. They reached in the agreement at a meeting organised by United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) in Malaysian city Langkawi to assist countries in Asia and Pacific to develop their MDI transition strategy, UNEP sources said here yesterday. Metered-dose inhalers, commonly used as treatment for millions of asthma and chronic respiratory patients in the region, contain chloro fluoro carbon (CFC). Under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, developing countries will have to cease production and consumption of CFC and other ozone depleting chemicals by 2010. Asia Pacific region accounts for 60 percent of CFC used in MDI production. The meeting adopted Langkawi Declaration recognising that there is very little time and will have to go a long way in ensuring that the phase-out occurs sooner rather than later, UNEP sources here said. In less than 22 months, there will no longer be any CFC-based inhaler in the world and preparation should be taken by the health officials, doctors and nurses as well as patients for this inevitable change, the declaration said. Atul Bagai, regional officer (networking), compliance assistance programme (CAP), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) termed the commitment as a progress for adjustment of CFC and non-CFC eras with the least discomfort and inconvenience, particularly for the patients. A number of MDI industries are already working towards converting their facilities to produce CFC-free alternatives. However, the introduction of these alternatives alone does not lead to a successful transition. There are still major concerns like preference of patients, price, availability of alternatives and how doctors prescribe medications. It is important that each country develops a strategy to address these issues, said Bagai. More than 80 participants from 24 countries, health, industry and patient groups participated in workshop on phasing-out CFC-based MDI for South Asia.