Advair removed from formulary, AirDuo Respiclick added to formulary
| Date: | January 11, 2018 |
| To: | Primary Care Providers, Specialists, Clinics, Pharmacies and Hospitals |
| From: | Health Plan of San Joaquin Pharmacy Department |
| Subject: | Advair removed from formulary, AirDuo Respiclick added to formulary |
| Business: | Medi-Cal |
We are pleased to let you know that the first new generic ICS/LABA inhaler combination is now available and has been added to Health Plan of San Joaquin formulary
Reports will be available at the:
- Effective 2/22/2018, Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) HFA and Diskus will no longer be on formulary.
- Patients will not be grandfathered and will need to be switched to a formulary approved product (AirDuo Respiclick/Breo Ellipta /Dulera /Symbicort)
AirDuo Respiclick (fluticasone/salmeterol) is a new ICS/LABA combination maintenance inhaler indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients 12 years and older. It uses the same ingredients in Advair, however in slightly different dosages and a different delivery device. The AirDuo Respiclick is available as one inhalation twice daily in 3 concentrations: 55/14 mcg, 113/14 mcg, or 232/14 mcg.
Providers will need to write a new prescription specifically for the AirDuo Respiclick. AirDuo Respiclick and its authorized generic are not therapeutically equivalent or substitutable for Advair.
Benefits of Respiclick include:
- Built-in dose counter
- No hand-breath coordination required during inhalation
- Can be stored or carried in any position
- No washing, priming or shaking
AirDuo Respiclick is not to be used in patients with COPD or acute bronchospasms. Other ICS/LABA formulary alternatives include Symbicort, Breo Ellipta, and Dulera. Pediatric options for asthma include ICS (Flovent or QVAR) + Spacer and Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol).
Health Plan of San Joaquin is dedicated to providing all members the best health care available in the most effective and efficient manner.
You may contact our Provider Services Department with any questions or concerns Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (209) 942-6340 or 1-888-936-PLAN (7526).