GSK Rebranded Flovent Asthma Inahler For Children To Avoid $367 Million Medicaid Rebate, Senator Hassan Accuses

U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) is intensifying her scrutiny of GSK Plc (NYSE:GSK) over the company's decision to pull its widely used asthma inhaler, Flovent HFA, from the market.

One year after the discontinuation, Hassan launched a formal investigation into the move, raising alarms about patient access, skyrocketing costs, and the financial burden placed on Medicaid.

Flovent HFA had long been the most prescribed controller inhaler for young children with asthma. After it was removed from the market in January 2024, GSK partnered with Prasco Laboratories to distribute an authorized generic version.

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This rebranded product has been significantly more expensive for patients, allowing GSK to avoid an estimated $367.6 million in Medicaid rebates in 2024 alone. Instead, Medicaid spent over $550 million on the authorized generic in 2024.

In a letter to the CEO, Emma Walmsley, Senator ...