BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released information for patients, providers and pharmacists about ongoing shortages in drugs that treat asthma.
GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus, discontinued both drugs, effective on Jan. 1, 2024.
The fall and winter seasons bring an increase in asthma exacerbations, including through other respiratory illnesses.
DPH says that patients and caregivers should know that:
- A generic version of Flovent® (fluticasone propionate) and other clinically appropriate alternative medications do exist.
- You may be prescribed a medication that you are not familiar with. The medication may be a different dose or a different inhaler device from what you are used to – talk with your provider if you have questions or concerns.
It also said that providers should ensure they are aware of any medication changes and discuss the clinically appropriate alternatives that are available. A clinicans guide on Asthma Management Guidelines is available for providers.
SPH said that pharmicists should know that:
- Depending on patient insurance status and insurance type, out-of-pocket costs for clinically appropriate alternative medications can vary widely. This includes wide variability in costs of brand and generic medications (i.e., Symbicort, Breyna, and generic budesonide/formoterol, which are therapeutically identical.)
- Work with providers to navigate the complexities of insurance benefits to support patients in accessing affordable and effective asthma medications.
- Communicate with healthcare providers if patients face barriers to filling prescriptions for asthma controller medications, particularly if the cost of these medications is difficult for patients to afford.
“When there are large shifts in availability of key asthma medications, like we have seen surrounding the discontinuation of Flovent products, many families are impacted. This is especially true for Black and Brown communities, which already experience a higher burden of asthma,” said DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “With the respiratory virus season approaching, it is important for communities to come together to promote vaccination and prevent disease.”
More about GlaxoSmithKline’s discontinued drugs is available.
