Discontinuation of inhaler production impacts
asthma management and treatment plans for kids and medical
providers
AURORA,
Colo., May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) is sharing guidance for families who
are impacted by the discontinuation Flovent inhaler production and
who may be struggling to keep their asthma symptoms under control.
The halt in production of this common asthma treatment was sudden
and announced after most insurance covered drug formularies (lists)
for 2024 were finalized. As a result, many patients with asthma may
not only be struggling to manage their asthma, but also be forced
to pay high out-of-pocket costs for asthma treatment alternatives
that may not be as effective. This change is especially difficult
for children because many of the medication delivery devices on the
market do not work in young children. As a result, some families
may also, due to this new barrier, be grappling with not having
access to asthma management medications.
"We are now seeing the trickle-down effect of patients not being
able to manage their asthma day-to-day," said Monica Federico, MD, pulmonologist
at Children's Colorado.
"It's especially difficult for families who do not speak English
fluently. It's difficult to explain why sudden changes have been
made in a child's treatment and why they don't have access to a
product that can help. This is creating barriers to kids being able
to be healthy."
Experts in the Breathing Institute at Children's Colorado want parents and caregivers to be on
guard about these new risks and understand how sudden changes in
treatment can impact a child's health. These impacts are:
- Frequently changing which drugs are covered by insurance
without medical reason can disrupt patient care, lead to worse
health outcomes and, ultimately, increase health care costs.
- Children with asthma are particularly vulnerable to negative
health consequences caused by sudden changes in treatment.
- Production or formulary changes often do not consider whether
medications are approved for use in children, leaving prescribers
and families without coverage of an age-appropriate option.
These sudden changes in inhaler production or insurance coverage
are also creating barriers for health care providers. It can take
hours each day for providers to find medications that are available
in the pharmacy and are covered by a patient's health
insurance.
"We were given limited notice on the production changes and
insurance coverage for these inhalers which so many children use,"
said Catherine Clark, PCNS-BC,
nurse specialist at the Children's Colorado Health Pavilion.
"Now, kids are being put in a situation where they may be given an
asthma medication or device that is not appropriate for their age,
causing them to lose control of their asthma."
While these medication changes can be difficult for families,
there is hope on the horizon. Three of the four major asthma
inhaler production companies made the decision to cap the price of
their inhalers at $35. This came
following an investigation in January
2024 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions into high prices for inhalers in the United States compared to other
countries.
Price changes will start going into effect on June 1, 2024, through Jan.
1, 2025. Families will continue to see asthma medication
changes in their insurance coverage until early 2025, and may also
see additional shortages as they encounter backorders and demand
for alternative products meant for pediatric use. As these
challenges occur, the Children's Colorado Asthma team would like to
provide action steps families can take:
- Check in with their child's pediatrician or specialist to come
up with a plan before their home supply runs out and before the
spring allergy season or summer wildfire season begin, both seasons
that can exacerbate a child's asthma symptoms.
- Work with your healthcare provider to make sure their asthma
treatment alternative is appropriate for a child. If you receive an
asthma inhaler device that is not familiar to you, please contact
the prescribing provider to receive education on how to use it. If
your pharmacy tells you that nothing is available, call the
prescribing provider to help find an alternative or contact another
pharmacy.
- Contact your insurance company to see which treatments are
covered, and if you have a secondary insurance, make sure to let
the doctor's office know; this may allow for better coverage. Ask
the pharmacist and your provider about online coupons that might
help control the out-of-pocket cost of medications.
- Make sure your child knows how to take their new
medication and teach them the signs of uncontrolled asthma so they
can appropriately take their new medications or alert a responsible
caregiver or adult for assistance.
- Create an Asthma Action Plan. The Asthma Action Plan helps
guide families on which medications to give and when to give them
when their child is having increased asthma symptoms.
- Call the 24/7 Children's Colorado ParentSmart Healthline" at
720-777-0123 if you have concerns.
- Understand the complexities around national medication
shortages. Families should know this is a challenge being seen
nationally, and not an issue with them, or their local PCP. We
empower families to ask what drug alternatives are available, where
they can get a drug that's in stock or to go back to their doctor
for more help.
Please reach out to media@childrenscolorado.org for an interview
with an expert who can speak to the experience providers and
families are having. There are interview opportunities in both
English and Spanish.
ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO
Children's Hospital Colorado
is one of the nation's leading and most expansive nonprofit
pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health
of children through patient care, education, research and
advocacy. Founded in 1908 and ranked among the best children's
hospitals in the nation as recognized by U.S. News & World
Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer
in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that
are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide.
Children's Colorado offers a full
spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and
specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including an academic medical center
on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, hospitals in Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield, and outreach clinics across
the region. For more information,
visit www.childrenscolorado.org or connect with us
on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Children's Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal
civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios
gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-720-777-9800.
CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn
phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-720-777-9800.
Media Contacts:
Courtney Mally, Children's Hospital
Colorado
24/7 media line: 303-890-8314
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SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado