As of Dec. 15, physicians can prescribe generic asthma medications previously listed as non-preferred on the Medicaid preferred drug list without needing prior authorization.
Per the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the change comes as the developer of Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus, medications used to treat asthma and other pulmonary disorders, plans to cease manufacturing those products on Dec. 31. Previously, both medications were listed as preferred on the drug formulary.
To avoid lapses in care, HHSC removed the non-preferred status from generic medications fluticasone HFA and Qvar and allows physicians to prescribe the drugs without prior authorization. These products include:
- Fluticasone Prop HFA 44 MCFG;
- Fluticasone Prop HFA 220 MCG;
- Qvar Redihaler 40 MCG; and
- Qvar Redihaler 80 MCG.
Meanwhile, the agency will not remove the preferred status of Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus to allow the usage of the existing stock of both medications.
Although HHSC notes “some supplies of the products will remain available until early 2024,” Helen Kent Davis, the Texas Medical Association’s associate vice president of governmental affairs, warns remaining stock may not be enough.
“There’s no way of knowing how many of these products will be left on pharmacy shelves after discontinuation or for how long those supplies will last,” she said.
For more information on which drugs are preferred or non-preferred on the Medicaid formulary, visit HHSC’s resource page. For prescribing help, see TMA’s prescribing webpage.
Last Updated On
December 19, 2023
Originally Published On
December 19, 2023
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469