The high price of essential medications like Symbicort can pose a significant barrier to care for people with asthma and COPD. Fortunately, patients have multiple avenues to explore when seeking financial relief. The most crucial first step is to communicate openly with your healthcare providers and pharmacist, as they are your primary resources for navigating these complex issues.
Talk to Your Healthcare Team
Your doctor and pharmacist play different, but vital, roles in helping you find an affordable solution. While your doctor is a diagnostic expert who determines the best course of treatment, your pharmacist is a medication expert who understands pricing and insurance coverage.
- Discuss Alternatives: Tell your doctor about your financial concerns. They may be able to recommend a generic equivalent or a different, less expensive brand-name medication that is equally effective for your condition.
- Consult Your Pharmacist: A pharmacist can verify your insurance coverage for various drugs, help you compare prices, and suggest savings opportunities. They may even be able to automatically substitute a generic if your prescription allows it.
Explore Generic and Authorized Generic Options
For many patients, the most straightforward path to significant savings is switching from a brand-name medication to a generic version. The active ingredients in generic and brand-name drugs are the same, but the cost is typically much lower.
A generic version of Symbicort, containing the active ingredients budesonide and formoterol, is available. Furthermore, an authorized generic, Breyna, was approved by the FDA and is considered bioequivalent to Symbicort. Since these contain the same active components, they offer the same effectiveness and safety profile. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about making the switch.
Utilize Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Pharmaceutical companies and non-profit organizations offer programs to help eligible individuals who cannot afford their prescriptions. These programs often provide medication at a reduced cost or for free.
- Manufacturer Programs: AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Symbicort, offers the AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program. This program provides free medication to qualifying patients who are uninsured, covered under Medicare Part D, or meet specific income requirements.
- Non-profit Organizations: Resources like NeedyMeds and the Medicine Assistance Tool serve as comprehensive databases for various patient assistance programs from different sources, helping you identify all available options.
Consider Alternative Inhaler Medications
If the cost of Symbicort and its generics remains too high, your doctor may suggest an alternative maintenance inhaler. While not identical, many alternatives exist within the same drug class (ICS/LABA) or in other classes that may be covered more favorably by your insurance. Do not stop taking your prescribed medication or switch without consulting your doctor first.
Comparison of Symbicort and Alternatives
| Feature | Symbicort (Brand) | Breyna (Generic/Authorized Generic) | Advair Diskus (Alternative) | Breo Ellipta (Alternative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Budesonide/Formoterol | Budesonide/Formoterol | Fluticasone/Salmeterol | Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol |
| Delivery System | Metered-dose aerosol inhaler | Metered-dose aerosol inhaler | Dry powder inhaler | Dry powder inhaler |
| Typical Dosing | 2 inhalations, twice daily | 2 inhalations, twice daily | 1 inhalation, twice daily | 1 inhalation, once daily |
| FDA Approval | Asthma (ages 6+), COPD (adults) | Asthma (ages 6+), COPD (adults) | Asthma (ages 4+), COPD (adults) | Asthma (ages 5+), COPD (adults) |
| Potential Cost Difference | High retail price | Lower than brand-name | Varies, potentially lower with generic | Varies, potentially lower with generic |
Use Prescription Discount Cards and Apps
Services like GoodRx and SingleCare offer significant discounts on both brand-name and generic medications. By using a free coupon or savings card, you can often pay a discounted cash price that is much lower than the standard retail cost. These discounts are particularly useful if you are uninsured or have a high-deductible plan. To use them, simply search for your medication on their website or app, get a coupon, and show it to your pharmacist.
Leverage Pharmacy and Insurance Strategies
Several logistical changes can also lead to lower long-term costs.
- Order a 90-day Supply: Many insurance plans or mail-order pharmacies offer discounts for a 90-day supply of medication versus a 30-day supply. This can also reduce the number of trips to the pharmacy.
- Shop Around: Prices for the same prescription can vary significantly between different pharmacies, even those in the same neighborhood. Websites like GoodRx can help you compare local pharmacy prices instantly.
- Appeal Coverage: If your insurance plan does not cover Symbicort, your doctor can submit an appeal or prior authorization request to your insurer, arguing for the medical necessity of the medication.
- Explore New Price Caps: As of mid-2024, AstraZeneca capped the out-of-pocket cost for Symbicort at $35 per month for commercially insured and uninsured patients. Check with your pharmacist to see if this is applied automatically or if a savings card is needed.
Conclusion
While the sticker price for Symbicort can be intimidating, a combination of proactive steps can make your medication more affordable. By exploring generic versions like Breyna, enrolling in manufacturer patient assistance programs, utilizing discount cards, and discussing alternative treatments with your healthcare team, you can find a solution that works for your budget. The most important thing is to avoid discontinuing your medication due to cost and to seek guidance from your doctor and pharmacist.
For additional guidance, the American Lung Association's website offers helpful resources for navigating the high cost of inhalers. [https://www.lung.org/blog/affordable-inhalers]
