A new study suggests the discontinuation of common asthma drug Flovent was linked to a higher rate of children halting inhaled steroid therapy altogether.
In January 2024, a manufacturer stopped producing Flovent, an inhaled steroid commonly prescribed to prevent asthma attacks in children.
A study led by Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine based on data from 2021 to 2024 and published April 26 in JAMA found that children using Flovent were more likely to discontinue inhaled steroid therapy after the drug was pulled from the market compared to children using other inhaled steroids. Michigan Medicine researchers said this could lead to an increased risk of asthma attacks.
Researchers also said the withdrawal of Flovent was most likely prompted by elimination of the Medicaid rebate cap under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Without the drug cap, rebates for Flovent would have exceeded the drug’s sales price, they said.
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