Inhalers became more expensive when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned a common ingredient. This meant manufacturers made new products, and with those came new patents.
Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI
Ensuring you have the asthma medication you need when you need it is vital, but the cost of inhalers has been consistently rising. Many people find it difficult to afford just one inhaler — let alone a second rescue inhaler — to keep with them at all times.
Children are often affected more than adults, and they can be more prone to asthma attacks that can result in a visit to the emergency room.
Asthma medications can be costly, but you have several options that can help you save money.
Why are asthma inhalers so expensive?
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021 data suggests around 25 million people in the United States live with asthma. So why are these potentially lifesaving medications so expensive?
In short, environmental concerns. The Montreal Protocol banned products containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as they were depleting the ozone layer. At that time, manufacturers were using CFCs as propellants in asthma inhalers, as these compressed gases helped deliver the medication’s active ingredients effectively with each puff.
Initially, inhalers were exempt from this protocol, but successful pharmaceutical lobbying saw the FDA remove this exemption, meaning that drug companies could create new, CFC-free products with new propellants. The new products also had much higher costs, accompanied by new patents, which meant other manufacturers could not make lower-cost generic versions for many years.
According to a 2017 study, as of 2015, the average annual out-of-pocket cost of asthma prescriptions was approaching $2,000 per year.
Fortunately, by 2020, the FDA had approved generic versions of some of the most commonly used asthma medications: albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil) and fluticasone salmeterol (Airduo Respiclick, Advair HFA).
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
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Below, we look at ways you can save money on your asthma inhaler prescriptions.
Check health insurance
If you have health insurance, check the formulary, which is the list of prescription drugs covered by your plan. Make sure the inhaler your doctor has prescribed is in the formulary and that any copayments are affordable.
If the drug isn’t in the formulary, you can ask the prescribing doctor if they can offer a different medication or a generic version available through your insurer. Generic drug versions have the same active ingredient as the brand-name versions, but they cost considerably less.
If your insurance refuses to pay for a medication that a doctor deems medically necessary, you can lodge an appeal. Essentially, that means you are asking the insurance company to investigate and reconsider their decision to refuse coverage of a certain medication or procedure.
You can review the appeals process to prepare the necessary information for a successful appeal.
Ask for a longer prescription
You could save money by requesting some changes to your prescription.
For example, you could ask your doctor to prescribe two quick relief inhalers at the same time and to write a prescription for a 90-day supply. This way, you may only pay one copayment for a 3-month inhaler supply.
Compare pharmacy prices
Not all pharmacies have the same medication prices — even if you have insurance. You can check online or call different pharmacies to find out who offers the best price.
You could also use the Optum Perks Discount Card or the Optum Perks App to easily find the lowest price at a pharmacy near you. You’ll even find cost comparisons at club stores like Costco, whose pharmacies are sometimes open to nonmembers.
Search for coupons
Even if insurance covers your asthma medications, they still might be expensive, but Optum Perks can help.
The Optum Perks prescription discount program is a free alternative to insurance that can save you up to 80% on medications. Simply download the Discount Card or search for a coupon and present it at a local pharmacy to save on your prescriptions.
Medicaid or CHIP
Depending on your income or other state requirements, you and a dependent child could qualify for prescription medication benefits through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — a program offering free or low cost health coverage for children and young adults up to age 19.
Look for a drug assistance program
Some groups can help support you with healthcare costs.
A host of nonprofits and even drug companies themselves offer copayment assistance programs.
Summary
Inhaler costs seem to rise consistently, which traces back to environmental reasons. When a new protocol banned the use of CFCs, pharmaceutical lobbyists ensured this included asthma inhalers.
This meant that drug companies could produce new inhalers with new patents and new, much higher prices.
After many years, generic asthma inhalers are now available alongside discount and assistance programs to help with costs.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Jena AB, et al. (2016). The impact of the US Food and Drug Administration chlorofluorocarbon ban on out-of-pocket costs and use of albuterol inhalers among individuals with asthma. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4494980/
