Nearly 50 years ago, when I arrived in Minnesota as a student fresh from Africa, I had much to learn – starting with the fact that there is nothing wimpish about wearing earmuffs when the temperature is 15 below. All my life since has been a learning experience. Now I want TEHRAN, 9 January 2007 (UNIC)--The Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) project document is under preparation at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to be submitted to 53rd Executive Committee Meeting of Montreal Protocol, to be held in November 2007.

UNIDO has received the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran request and the PA (Preparatory Assistance) funds have been allocated accordingly by the MLS (Multi Lateral Secretariat) for the preparation of the project document in 2007. Sina Darou is the only manufacturer of inhalers in Iran at the time being and it consumes about 80 MT of CFCs. The company has started with Salbutamol 100 μg and presently has 4 products in its manufacturing line; namely: Salbutamol 100 μg, Beclomethasone DP 250 μg, Salmeterol 25 μg and Cromolyn Sodium 1 mg. The production quantity of Salbutamol is about 80% of total production of inhalers. The practical production capacity of “ Inhalers Manufacturing Department” of Sina Darou is 5,500,000 units of products per year.

UNIDO project will include the conversion technology to replace old filling machine with new one, technology transfer for the 4 drugs and incremental operating costs. A National Transitional Strategy should be prepared in co-operation with the Ministry of Health. The estimated project cost is US$ 4.0-5.0 million.