Flu Season Alert!Alerta de temporada de influenza:
Don’t let germs win this season – protect yourself and your family!
The flu vaccine is your best defense against flu and related complications – PLUS, it is a covered benefit for Texas Children’s Health Plan members! Learn more!
¡No permitas que los gérmenes ganen esta temporada! ¡Protégete a ti y a tu familia!
La vacuna contra la influenza es tu mejor defensa contra la influenza y sus complicaciones. Además, ¡es un beneficio cubierto para los miembros de Texas Children's Health Plan! Aprende más
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:
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.
