It has been just revealed the fact that a popular asthma inhaler has been discontinued, but there are still alternatives. Check out the latest reports about this below.
Popular asthma inhaler is discontinued
Millions of people who suffer from asthma rely on Flovent to manage the common symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
However, on January 1st, the manufacturer of Flovent, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), abruptly discontinued the inhaler. This has left patients blindsided and wondering why this crucial medication was pulled from shelves.
They are also looking for alternative solutions to manage their symptoms as untreated symptoms can be life-threatening.
Recently, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) posted an announcement stating that GSK would no longer offer its popular brand-name inhaler, Flovent, but only a generic version of the drug.
There has been an online discussion on the social media platform Reddit since at least last year, regarding insurance companies dropping their coverage of the Flovent inhaler, which is used by asthma patients.
This has forced patients to switch to alternatives, such as the Pulmicort Flexhaler, which is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) with some notable drawbacks.
Research has shown that proper training is required for the correct use of DPI devices, with one study finding that many patients used the devices inappropriately. Furthermore, issues like humidity can interfere with powder dispersal, causing the medication to stick inside the inhaler.
The insurance company’s decision to move away from Flovent might be an effort to reduce expenses. The average cash price for this medication has increased by 41% between 2013 and 2018, going from $207 to $292.
This information comes from GoodRx, a telemedicine platform that monitors prescription drug prices in the United States.
In an attempt to address the rising cost of prescription drugs, President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act has introduced changes to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.
These changes make it mandatory for pharmaceutical companies to pay rebates to Medicaid if they raise drug prices faster than the inflation rate.
This new rule might ultimately urge drug manufacturers to sell their medications at a loss to Medicaid. One way they can avoid that is by considerably reducing their drug prices, as some insulin products have already done.
Another approach is the one taken by GSK.
Flovent is a medication that helps control and prevent asthma symptoms. It is an inhaled corticosteroid. However, some patients may find it better to switch to a non-steroid alternative.
This is according to Nazlie Latefie, a molecular biologist who specializes in respiratory diseases. She is also the co-founder and chief scientific officer at Applied Biological Laboratories Inc. If you are considering switching to a different medication, it’s important to note that although the “authorized generic” version of Flovent may be cheaper, it no longer has a price history.
Steroid medications used for asthma treatment can increase the susceptibility of patients to respiratory viral infections such as colds or flu. These drugs function by reducing lung inflammation by lowering levels of immune-signaling proteins known as cytokines.
While cytokines play a crucial role in regulating inflammation, excessive levels of these proteins can trigger “cytokine storms” that can harm organs.
Additionally, steroid drugs can decrease beneficial cytokines that help fight infections at the beginning of the illness, making it even more difficult for the body to fight off the virus.
It’s important to note that these medications will not be subject to the new Medicaid rebate rules. “That’s why steroids make you more susceptible to getting sick.”
