The popular corticosteroid inhalers Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus users will have to adjust in 2024 as Flovent’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline, has chosen to stop producing the Flovent-branded medications as of January 1.
As per the guidelines provided by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the company will instead launch an approved generic version that has the same formula and device design.
Even if the formula is guaranteed to be the same, physicians worry that patients may face difficulties if insurance companies do not cover the newly approved generics.
Concerns were raised by Boston Medical Center pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Robyn Cohen, who said, “This medication has been the most commonly used inhaled medication for the past 25 or 30 years.”
The news that it’s being phased out will come as a tremendous shock to physicians, patients, and families.”
Some patients could find it difficult to switch to new options, particularly when thinking about options that some insurance carriers prefer, such as Qvar and IRAs. Dr. Christopher Oermann emphasized that, because of the breathing ability needed to administer the drug, these solutions might not be appropriate for young patients.
GlaxoSmithKline made the decision to stop selling the inhalers in an attempt to provide US patients with possibly less expensive options. This change corresponds with the Medicaid drug rebate cap elimination that will take effect on January 1, 2021, as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The removal of the cap exposes pharmaceutical companies to possible losses when selling Medicaid, especially considering that the cost of Flovent products has increased by almost 50% over the last ten years, as reported by GoodRx data.
In response, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America advises those who depend on Flovent inhalers to confirm coverage with insurance carriers and talk with medical specialists about appropriate substitutes, such as approved generics.
