This is getting ridiculous now. After my gp mentioned about being under pressure to change me to luforbec and admitting it’s a worse inhaler and loads of patients are having issues with it I’ve now had a text saying they’ve been instructed to switch from Fostair to Luforbec and my next prescription would have the different inhaler. I don’t want to switch. I’ve only heard bad things about it. Have a young child and can’t risk a flair up.
Can I buy Fostair privately? Can I refuse to switch or pretend to try and say I didn’t get on well with it?
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Starlight1987
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Hello lovely, I'll say the same to you as I have on another post.
They can't change your meds if you're asthma isn't controlled without consulting your respiratory consultant/specialist. I too received this text a few months ago and immediately rang the gp surgery and told them that they can't change my Inhaler from Fostair to Luforbec without consulting my respiratory teams at both my community hospital (local to me) and my specialist care team in London. Thus far they haven't changed my inhalers but they are only doing this to save money. The ICB's (used to be known as CCG) haven't thought about the patients. Stand firm. If you're not comfortable with trying a new Inhaler you know your body best- you're the one having to live with Asthma then I personally would speak up and tell them.
There's no place for bullying in the NHS of any description including that of treatment of patients.
I have an asthma nurse at the gp surgery who wants to change my inhaler. She said her hands are tied as it’s guidelines she has been given, but as a compromise I could get the Fostair dry powder inhaler (NEXThaler I believe it’s called). Not sure what to do. Don’t want to make any changes but feeling v pressured and stressed about it 😫 last thing I need as a new mum
Aww lovely, I'm so sorry this is so distressing for you. You have the divine right to refuse. You are the patient, you know what's best for you and if right now a change of Inhaler isn't what's best then they can't force you at all. It's against the law in the UK unless they have grounds for it I.e if you've been deemed not able to make medical decisions and being a new mum doesn't come under that demographic. Like others have said you can complain to the practice manager but I think they may fob you off (from previous experience I know this) and you don't need any more stress or anything on top of everything you have going on now.
Money or not they cannot pressure you to try something new as an asthma nurse is just within the community and not a specialist. Your specialist should be making this decision with you on board of any medication changes especially given you've just had a baby where risks were involved. From a clinical prospective an asthma nurse isn't qualified enough to make this decision regarding your medication given you've just had a baby and your body will take time to recover and recuperate.
If they keep bothering you about it or give you any hassle when you're ordering your prescription you can go directly to your local MP and complain about your care.
Sending you lots of love and prayers my darling. Don't lose heart. We won't let the money grabbers win. Patient care shouldn't be sacrificed because of someone wanting to save money by using cheap shortcuts. Hang in there my love, you will come through the other side.
Yes, I agree. Don't be fobbed off and go back to speak to your GP again. Explain firmly that the Fostair is working well for you and that you don't want to risk having a flare especially as you are a mother with a young child. You would like to continue with the Fostair.
GPs are meant to discuss this and agree treatment with you. Refer to the NICE guidelines.
I get infections when my asthma isn't controlled therefore it's way more expensive for the surgery if I do - and I don't have to hold down a jib or have dependent children. It's so distressing & stressful having to deal with these threatened changes. Pressure on the gp? What about pressure/distress/stress on patients under threat grrrrrrr.
Unfortunately I no longer have a consultant to back me up (because my asthma & Small Airways Disease are under control)
Hiya Starlight. Try looking up the formulary for your area. I have copied a link for Oxfordshire- If you look on the list it says no new patients can be started on it, but that this restriction does not apply to those who were on it before the new guidance came out - just a bit of ammunition for you if you have to fight your case.
It may differ in area to area, but I would doubt it, best to check though
hello Starlight just been doing some looking up about the two inhalers Fostair and Lucerne apparently it’s a cost cutting Excercise by the NHS, although some patients with COPD that have been prescribed it instead of the usual Fostair have complained of being breathless. So it seems that it’s not as good for some people as their previous inhaler even though they both have the same ingredients so to speak. Some companies selling the meds charge more than others so I can understand why meds are changed because of cost cutting g Excercise, but if your inhaler is not working for you then you must tell your GP that your health is deteriorating and you need an inhaler that works for you. Hope all goes well for you.
Just ask your GP why he's switching you, and tell him that Fostair is working best for you 👍 I wouldn't take it lying down Starlight! Query this ASAP 👍👍👍
So Luforbec 100/6micrograms per actuation, means that each 'actuation' (puff) delivers 100micrograms of Beclomethasone dipropionate and 6 micrograms of formoterol fumarate dihydrate.
Fostair contains the SAME 2 ingredients, in the same proportion per 'actuation', but as a solution, not dry powder (as for Luforbec).
From the comparisons that I have read, of these 2 formulations, it appears that Luforbec delivers 'ultrafine' particles, so should be more effective, per dose, than Fostair. However, it seems that it is available both as Dry Powder Inhaler AND Multi Dose Inhaler, so dry powder inhalers may suit some people, while Multi Dose Inhalers that contain a solution, will suit other users better.
Pharmacists say that it saves about 52% in cost, compared to Fostair, with some suggesting a saving of up to £8.80 per prescription, which is the main reason for pushing for GPs to switch to Luforbec.
I was changed from Fostair to Luforbec,- tried it, but it made me slightly woozy and a feeling of thickness in my throat even with rinsing after, - went back to see the asthma nurse and was put back on Fostair (she put on my repeat prescription ‘Does not tolerate Luforbec’)….They say it is the same, but the ‘acid’ component in the make up is different in Luforbec, the asthma nurse didn’t know this!….Yes, it is a cost cutting exercise, Lufobec is made in India!!
hi Starlight. My Gp changed my Fostair to Luforbec and it made my symptoms worse I have been coughing a lot and more wheezy. I consulted my Gp and was switched back to Fostair
Hi I was changed from Fostair to Luforbec last November caused chronic coughing and clogging up the spacer I was using had my copd review in April this year nurse said they changed quite a few patients back to Fostair .Although Luforbec is cheaper and supposedly the same it’s obviously inferior to Fostair hope you can get changed back.
I have had the same experience. I still have a supply of Forstair, so using that. I'm reluctant to use Luforbec. I know for a fact, the switch is financial, not medical.
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