Generic Albuterol Inhalers No Longer Available

Albuterol inhalers are used for asthma and related conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated that albuterol inhalers containing the propellant chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) be discontinued from the market by December 31, 2008. They are being replaced by albuterol inhalers containing a more environmentally friendly propellant known as hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). Several HFA inhalers are available as alternatives to albuterol CFC inhalers; however, they are available only as brand name medications.

As a result of this FDA mandate, several prescription drug manufacturers have discontinued producing generic albuterol CFC inhalers, resulting in intermittent supply shortages in retail pharmacies, as well as the inability for large mail order facilities to receive timely shipments. Due to the shortages, the mail service pharmacy, Medco By Mail, will not be able to dispense generic albuterol CFC inhalers. Any prescription written for an albuterol inhaler or albuterol metered dose inhaler received at Medco By Mail will be filled with a Proventil HFA inhaler. Proventil HFA is a preferred brand name drug on the Empire Plan Preferred Drug List. The preferred brand name drug copay will apply.

Generic albuterol CFC inhalers may continue to be available at your local retail pharmacy throughout 2008. If you would like to continue receiving generic albuterol inhalers and your local pharmacy has adequate supplies, your local pharmacist may be able to assist you in transferring the albuterol prescription from Medco By Mail. The pharmacist may contact Medco By Mail by calling The Empire Plan's Prescription Drug Program, followed by prompt #1 for 2008 prescription drug benefits.

When the generic albuterol CFC inhalers are no longer available from your local retail pharmacy, you and your physician will want to consider transitioning to an HFA inhaler. For your reference, this table provides a list of albuterol HFA brand name inhalers, their placement on the 2008 Empire Plan Preferred Drug List, and the Empire Plan copayment at a retail pharmacy or through Medco By Mail. Please discuss with your physician which albuterol HFA product is right for you.

If you have any questions, please contact the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and choose prompt #4 for the Prescription Drug Program, then select the option for 2008 prescription drug benefits.