Drug Companies Are Lowering Out of Pocket Inhaler Costs to $35

It seems like all Congress does lately is fight. They don't seem to get any actual work done as neither side can agree on legislation. 

But it was interesting to see that the Senate Health, Education and Labor (HELP) committee was investigating high price inhalers.

In January, the HELP committee had contacted all 4 manufacturers of inhalers to ask why inhalers cost so much more in the US than they do in other countries.

They gave a few examples:

• Advair costs $319 in the U.S. - but only $26 in the U.K.
• QVAR costs $286 in the U.S. - but only $9 in Germany.
• Combivent Respimat costs $489 in the U.S. – but only $7 in France. 

 In March, AstraZeneca announced it was lowering out of pocket costs to $35 (starting in June.)

If you use any of these inhalers, they will cost less out of pocket when summer comes. 

Also in March, Boehringer Ingelheim announced it was lowering out of pocket costs to $35, (also starting in June.)

 

These inhalers will also cost less out of pocket when summer comes. 

 

 

 

And also in March, GSK announced that it too was lowering out of pocket costs to $35, starting in June. 

 

All of these are slated to cost less out of pocket when summer comes. 

As of this writing, Teva (who is the smallest of the four inhaler manufactures) has not lowered prices. I hope they will soon. 

Even with great health insurance, I have often had to go without my inhaler over the years so I could afford groceries. Or I would refill my kid's inhalers, but wait on mine or cut back on doses.

 

I would download coupons or apply for co-pay help, but some inhalers don't offer coupons or any co-pay assistance. And if an inhaler is not on the "preferred list" for insurance, I would pay $200 out of pocket for one add-on inhaler (in addition to the cost of my other three inhalers) 

 

Here's hoping we can all spend less out of pocket on inhalers and use that money towards a rent or mortgage payments, car payments, groceries, or gas. 

 

Can't wait until the lower prices go into effect this summer!