Provider Alert! Change in Preferred Drug List Status for Glucocorticoids, Inhaled Drug Class
Date: December 8, 2023
Attention: Providers
Effective date: December 15, 2023
Call to action: Effective December 15, 2023, the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) removed non-preferred status from generic fluticasone hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) and brand Qvar products on the preferred drug list. This is in response to the discontinuation of the product by the manufacturer.
The preferred status of the brand name Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus will not change to allow for any remaining stock to be used.
How this impacts providers: The change will allow providers to prescribe the generic fluticasone HFA and brand QVAR products without requiring PDL prior authorization at this time and continue accessing necessary medication for their patients.
Please see below for the list of impacted drugs (of note, the approval is NDC-specific):
| Preferred Medication | Preferred Medication NDC | Type of Change | Effective Date |
| FLUTICASONE PROP HFA 44 MCG | 66993007896 | Generic now preferred | December 15, 2023 |
| FLUTICASONE PROP HFA 110 MCG | 66993007996 | Generic now preferred | December 15, 2023 |
| FLUTICASONE PROP HFA 220 MCG | 66993008096 | Generic now preferred | December 15, 2023 |
| QVAR REDIHALER 40 MCG | 59310030240 | Brand now preferred | December 15, 2023 |
| QVAR REDIHALER 80 MCG | 59310030480 | Brand now preferred | December 15, 2023 |
| FLOVENT HFA | Brand remains preferred | ||
| FLOVENT DISKUS | Brand remains preferred |
Update as of 1/11/2024: Flovent shortage notices to announce this change to your patients/our members:
- Flovent shortage notice (English)
- Flovent shortage notice for clients (Spanish)
Next step for Providers: Prescribers are encouraged to proactively obtain a prescription for the preferred alternatives to avoid disruption in patient’s therapy. Prescribers should share this communication with their staff.
If you have any questions, please email TCHP Pharmacy at: tchppharmacy@texaschildrens.org.
For access to all provider alerts, log into:
www.thecheckup.org or www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers.
