STAT+: Senator launches investigation into GSK’s asthma inhaler maneuvers

Amid ongoing controversy, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) is investigating GSK for replacing a popular asthma inhaler with a so-called authorized generic at a much higher price in order to avoid paying Medicaid rebates.

In a letter sent to the company, the lawmaker maintained that the decision to discontinue its inhaler in January 2024 has since had “life-threatening consequences for patients” and contributed to a spike in hospitalizations. And so Hassan called on GSK to return the product to market and, meanwhile, asked for numerous documents concerning pricing, rebates and communications with regulators.

This marks the second time in recent months that GSK has angered a lawmaker over the asthma inhaler switch. In March, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate GSK and accused the company of “outrageous profiteering” because the maneuver cost Medicaid nearly $1 billion last year.

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