Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the discontinuation of the popular corticosteroid inhaler, Flovent HFA (fluticasone propionate inhalation aerosol). Pediatric clinicians are expressing deep concern as some insurers fail to cover the generic version.
This decision highlights a broader issue where certain insurers exclusively include breath-actuated inhalers in their documentation, posing challenges for children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and younger asthma patients.
Pulmonologists and gastroenterologists are raising alarms, urging insurers to cover appropriate treatments for their vulnerable patients. Despite GSK’s launch of a generic version with Prasco in May 2022, coverage disparities persist, leading to potential delays and increased costs for affected families. Individuals who use Flovent should be sure to refill their prescriptions while supplies last.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
