Apparently, only Xopenex HFA is covered. One of the more asinine decisions I’ve heard. Medicaid shunning generics for an expensive brand-name medication.
Related posts:
- Medicaid killing generics?
- Avandia pulled from the VA formulary
- Idiocy in Missouri
- BiDil smoke and mirrors
- Are generic medications as good as their brand name counterparts?
- Albuterol HFA inhalers
- Generics versus brand-name drugs
KevinMD.com on Facebook
{ 8 comments }
That’s an easy one to figure out. It called a bribe!
An absolute crime against the taxpayer. Especially since the advantage of xoponex is very marginal, if any.
I work at a VA Medical Center that has also recently switched all patients from Albuterol MDI to Xopenex MDI. Given the otherwise near-strictly generic formulary, it just seems backwards to me.
Good time to consider investing in Sepracor, yes?
Been the same in Texas for about 6 months.
Get used to writing “Albuterol MDI (or equivalent…)”. It’ll save you a lot of phone calls.
GruntDoc
Having an asthmatic child (and spouse), and knowing a few other families who have them, as well, it is commonly agreed that Xopenex is quite noticably superior to Alubuterol for every child we know. It is at least as effective, has MUCH lower level side effects, and, most importantly, can be taken twice as often. When dealing with a sevre asthma attack, that last point is a HUGE difference.
Now, albuterol is certainly cheaper, and I have some on hand, actually, for mild attacks (where another treatment probably won’t be neded ASAP), but if I could only keep one around, I’d choose xopenex every time and twice on Sundays. Hospital visits are a lot more expensive than the price difference.
Granted, that’s all anecdotal.
Do any of you know WHY generic albuterol is being pulled off the market? – It contains CFCs and is harmful to the environment. The FDA would not withdraw the drug if there were not a safe alternative. Yes, it’s a brand and it is more expensive, but that is the cost of protecting our planet. Taxpayers will pay. There are worse things.
generic companies steal the very bread of american life!
if we want to be a strong nation we must be brand strong less we let the chinese start their generic on slought!!
doctors charge a prem price why not a prem drug?
Comments on this entry are closed.