Popular inhaler brand coming off shelves in 2024

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Many people with asthma may be starting off the New Year with a call to their pharmacy.

Beginning Jan. 1, the Flovent asthma inhaler made by GSK will be discontinued. CNN reports thousands of asthma patients depend on this steroid inhaler.

Bill Morrissey of Kilgore's Pharmacy in Columbia said Flovent is used by a lot of patients.

"It's definitely one of the most popular steroid inhalers that we see used mostly in asthma," Morrissey said. "It's been around for a long time."

Instead, Morrissey said there is now a generic version of the same drug made by Prasco, which has an agreement with GSK. CNN reports the inhaler is identical to the Flovent product, just without the branding. However, it's not as widely covered by insurance.

Morrissey said if someone is using Flovent, there is no need to panic. They will just need to order their prescription earlier in advance to make sure they still get it on time.

"Don't wait until you're totally out of your current supply," Morrissey said. "Try to order that a week ahead of time, at least, and that way if there is a snag or a problem where they have to contact the doctor to find a good solution ... it's not a big deal."

He said pharmacists contact prescribers all the time to find other available medications, but occasionally it takes a few days to communicate and have the prescriber figure out the best product for the patient.

Morrissey said there is no one clear product that will universally replace people's Flovent prescriptions, but rather it is all up to the individual's insurance coverage.

For example, MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid program, shows Flovent is covered by Medicaid, while the generic version is not. However, six other products are covered under the program. Available brands and options will differ on each insurance plan.

Morrissey said the Kilgore's Pharmacy location on Providence still has some Flovent in stock, and he suspects other pharmacies might have some on shelves still, as well. However, it can't be ordered anymore through his supplier.

He said there is no shortage of other generic or brand-name inhalers, and he is not concerned about the availability of equivalent products.

"We might have to change some individual patients to a different product and we might have to communicate with your doctor to get that done, and that might take a day or two," Morrissey said. "But, there is no real significant shortage that we're aware of, and there's plenty of different substitutes that will work just as well."

CNN reports GSK is discontinuing Flovent due to Medicaid rebate changes which would cause the company to pay large penalties for increasing the drug's price over the years.

Morrissey said January is often a busy time for pharmacists because insurance companies will change their list of available drugs. So, something available on Friday may not be available on Tuesday.

Several doctor's offices, pharmacies and the state health office didn't have anyone available to speak Friday.