Are you one of those families looking for new asthma medications as respiratory virus season approaches?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health seeks to help patients and families access the best options for timely and effective asthma care—especially after two common asthma medications have been discontinued.

The two inhaled treatments – Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus, two of the most commonly used asthma control drugs – have been discontinued by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.

Despite Massachusetts’ efforts, many residents continue to experience the effects of the supply chain disruption it caused. Drug shortages have been reported for alternative medicines.

The situation was made worse by variable prescription drug coverage and steep patient co-payments for some alternative drugs.

“When there are big changes in the availability of key asthma medications, as we’ve seen around the discontinuation of Flovent products, many families are affected,” DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “This is especially true for black and brown communities, who already face a greater burden of asthma.

“With respiratory virus season approaching, it’s important for communities to come together to promote vaccination and disease prevention,” added Goldstein.

The fall and winter season typically brings an increase in asthma exacerbations in Massachusetts. During this time, circulating respiratory illnesses—such as influenza, RSV, and COVID—can trigger asthma symptoms or worsen ongoing symptoms.