Investigation Launched into GSK’s Inhaler Decision

By Ahmed Aboulenein
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan announced on Friday an investigation into GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)’s choice to stop selling the asthma inhaler Flovent HFA for children.

Senator Hassan sent letters to GSK and its generic distributor, Prasco Laboratories, asserting that the removal of the inhaler from the market in January 2024 has led to increased hospitalizations and deaths associated with asthma. In her communication, she requested documentation detailing the rationale behind this decision, as well as its financial and health consequences.

> “We remain committed to ensuring that innovation and affordability can coexist and are focused on improving health outcomes for patients,” a GSK spokesperson commented.

As a leading Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee’s Health Care Subcommittee, Hassan urged GSK to reinstate the inhaler and demanded internal pricing documents, rebate data, and communication records with regulators by July 18.

Hassan accused GSK of avoiding rebate obligations to Medicaid, which serves 71 million low-income U.S. residents, and claimed that GSK’s shift to a higher-cost authorized generic has reduced accessibility for low-income patients. She stated, “Children across the country have faced life-threatening medical challenges and families have grappled with more expensive or less effective alternative medications — when these options are available at all.”

In response to Hassan’s earlier letter, GSK stated Prasco determines the generic’s pricing. Hassan asserted both companies are responsible for hindering treatment affordability, leading to delays or denials of insurance coverage.

While GSK took measures to make its authorized generic more accessible in 2022, the company acknowledged external factors affecting patient access.

Prasco initiated a patient assistance program in December 2024, offering free inhalers to eligible patients unable to afford them, with GSK supporting the program with supplies.

Hassan referenced a Johns Hopkins analysis revealing GSK’s strategy saved the company $367 million in Medicaid rebates for 2024, costing the program over $550 million instead. Parents reported paying up to $150 for the generic inhaler compared to $10 for Flovent.

In response to rising concerns over medication prices, GSK announced it will cap out-of-pocket costs for its inhaled asthma and chronic lung disease medications at $35 per month for eligible U.S. patients, starting January 2025, following similar moves by competitors.

This announcement follows increased scrutiny from lawmakers regarding high prices and an investigation into the pricing of these medications in the United States versus other countries.