
AstraZeneca Caps Out-of-Pocket Costs for Inhalers at $35 per Month
AstraZeneca caps out-of-pocket costs for inhalers at $35/month to help asthma patients, following pressure from lawmakers. Other companies urged to do the same.

AstraZeneca Expands Savings Programs for Respiratory Medication
AstraZeneca has announced that it will cap the out-of-pocket costs for inhalers and related medication at a maximum of $35 per month, in an effort to assist vulnerable patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The initiative, which is set to take effect from June 1, aims to address barriers to access and affordability for patients living with respiratory diseases.
Commitment to Patient Health
AstraZeneca's chief executive Pascal Soriot stated, "AstraZeneca’s expanded savings programs build on our long-standing commitment to addressing barriers to access and affordability for patients living with respiratory diseases to ultimately help patients lead healthier lives."
Market Response
This move aligns with a similar cost-reduction program from Boehringer Ingelheim, a German pharmaceutical company that competes with AstraZeneca in the inhaler market. It comes in the wake of an investigation launched by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, following a request from Democratic senators and Sen. Bernie Sanders for major inhaler companies to lower costs.
Political Support
Sen. Bernie Sanders released a statement applauding AstraZeneca's decision and urged other pharmaceutical companies to follow suit. The absence of a similar price cap commitment from leading manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline and Teva has been noted by lawmakers, who have highlighted significant disparities in inhaler co-pays between the United States and Europe.
International Disparities
For example, GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair HFA, a prescription inhaler, was priced at $319 in the United States, significantly higher than the $26 price tag in Britain. Sanders emphasized the need for other companies to emulate the actions of AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Industry Response
A spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline stated that the company has a strong track record of responsibly pricing medicines while providing patients with access to scientific breakthroughs. The company also offers medicines and vaccines at no cost to eligible patients through its charitable programs. Teva, another major manufacturer, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.
Patient Advocacy
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America expressed support for efforts to make asthma drugs more affordable and called upon various stakeholders in the healthcare industry to work together to reduce costs. AAFA President Kenneth Mendez highlighted the need for collaboration among drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, employers, and the government to improve affordability and access to essential medications.
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