Millions of Americans could soon be forced to live without life-saving drugs after a pharmaceutical giant announced it would pull its drug from shelves.
Flovent, the most prescribed inhaler for asthma sufferers, will no longer be available in pharmacies from 1 January.
The drug’s maker, GSK, has announced it will stop manufacturing its branded inhaler and develop an “authorized generic” version.
The generic will be an identical version of the brand name Flovent, which is taken daily to prevent asthmatic symptoms, GSK said.
About 27 million Americans suffer from asthma — and most rely on Flovent to prevent attacks that can land them in the hospital
The drug’s maker, GSK, has announced it will stop manufacturing its branded inhaler and develop an “authorized generic” version.
But doctors have warned that patients may have trouble accessing the alternative because insurers are not required to cover generic versions of some drugs.
This means that some patients may have to wait for an entirely new prescription.
Health experts also criticized the timing of the drugmaker’s policy change, saying the move comes at a time when respiratory viruses that can be deadly for asthmatics are on the rise across the country.
Dr. Robyn Cohen, director of the Pediatric Pulmonary and Allergy Clinic at Boston Medical Center, told CNN that Flovent has been the most common inhaler for nearly three decades.
Flovent is the most commonly prescribed inhaler, but from January 1, patients will no longer have access to it
She said, “This is the drug that pediatricians predominantly turn to when they decide that their patient needs daily preventive medication…”
“Having it discontinued will be a huge shock to the system, to patients, families and doctors.”
Additionally, patients who have taken the drug for years may no longer be able to fill their prescriptions because insurers are unwilling to cover the new type of drug.
This could leave them vulnerable during a dangerous triple whammy of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Covid that is ravaging America.
Flovent is intended to be taken daily as a preventative measure for asthmatics. It helps stop airway swelling, makes it easier for patients to breathe, and reduces the body’s response to triggers that can make breathing difficult.
These triggers include colds and flu, which is why medication is more important now than ever.
According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, there have been nearly 10 million flu cases, 110,000 flu-related hospitalizations and up to 9,500 flu deaths so far in the 2023-2024 season.
There was a 13 percent increase in positive flu tests and hospitalizations for the flu are on the rise. This week, 9,900 people were admitted to hospital.
The numbers for all respiratory diseases increased by five percent.
The number of visits to the doctor for respiratory diseases is increasing in all age groups, but is highest among children under four years of age.
Emergency room visits due to Covid increased by almost seven percent in the past week and admissions increased by more than 10 percent. Deaths due to Covid increased by three percent.
Nearly 27 million Americans suffer from asthma and it is the leading cause of chronic disease in children.
Asthma is a long-term condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways, leading to a narrowing of the passageway that carries air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.
Symptoms include difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest pain.
There is no cure for the disease, but daily medication to control symptoms and certain lifestyle changes can help prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Although most asthma patients can go about their daily lives normally, some patients with severe forms of the disease are at risk of having fatal attacks or asthma attacks.
During an asthma attack, the lining of the airways becomes severely inflamed, mucus clogs the airways and the muscles around the airways tighten, making breathing difficult and tiring.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2021, according to the most recent data available, 9.8 million people had an asthma attack, including 1.8 million children and 8 million adults.
And every day in the United States, 5,000 people go to the emergency room for asthma and 11 people die.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
