Association of Nonmedical Switches in Inhaled Respiratory Medications with Disruptions in Care: A Retrospective Prescription Claims Database Analysis

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data on the effects of forced medication switching for a nonmedical reason in patients with obstructive airway conditions. This study evaluated disruption in care resulting from a nonmedical medication switch for patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who previously received the inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β(2)-agonist budesonide/formoterol. METHODS: This retrospective pharmacy benefit prescription claims analysis evaluated Medicare Part D patients who filled a prescription for budesonide/formoterol as their last inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β(2)-agonist in 2016 and were affected by a formulary block of budesonide/formoterol in 2017. Changes to respiratory maintenance therapy, length of gaps in care during which a patient was not in possession of a respiratory controller medication, acute medication use indicative of disease exacerbations, and medication adherence were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 42,553 patients were included in the analysis. Following the formulary block, 30,016 patients (71%) switched to another controller; 20,628 of these patients (69%) switched to a new inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β(2)-agonist, 7081 (23%) stepped down to a monotherapy, and 2307 (8%) switched to a non-inhaled corticosteroid-containing controller. Despite the formulary block, 22,903 patients (54%) attempted to fill budesonide/formoterol as their first postblock controller, and 6624 patients (16%) attempted to return to budesonide/formoterol after switching to another controller. On average, patients experienced a gap in care of approximately 4 months without a controller medication. Also, 9674 (23%) did not fill any controller over the 1-year postblock period. Of those patients who experienced a gap in care, 14,926 (47%) filled a prescription indicative of a possible exacerbation during the gap period (i.e., oral corticosteroids for patients with asthma and oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). CONCLUSIONS: The Medicare Part D formulary block was associated with disruption in the management of patients’ respiratory conditions and may have adversely impacted disease control. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-021-00147-8.