What is Advair and Wixela?

Advair is a medication developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that combines fluticasone and salmeterol to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It's a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone) and a long-acting beta-agonist (salmeterol) [1].

The brand name Advair has patent protection, but in 2018, GSK decided to market the same active ingredients under its own brand as Advair, while also launching the authorized generic at half of the price [1], as well as Wixela, a bioequivalent version made by Theradium [2].

What is Wixela?

Wixela is a generic version of the Advair inhalation aerosol, approved in 2019. It contains the same active ingredients as the Advair brand (fluticasone and salmeterol). The medication is an authorized generic version, meaning it's created by the same manufacturer as the original brand under license to the brand owner [3].

Why is Wixela important?

Wixela's availability provides an alternative for patients who are looking for a generic version of Advair without significant cost savings. The decision by Theradium to launch the authorized generic version, while the brand owner also markets an approved generic, is in line with market trends, showing how the generic market affects the prescription landscape [4].

Wixela and Advair Price Difference

According to reports, Wixela costs approximately half the price of Advair when the branded medication and its authorized generic are compared directly. The significant price disparity can make Wixela an attractive option for many patients, which could lead to wider generic substitution in the market.

Exclusivity Expiration Timeline

The patent of Advair is set to expire in 2023, allowing other manufacturers to enter the market. However, authorized generics like Wixela can enter the market before patent expiry, which has an important effect on pharmaceutical market competition. The exclusivity expiration timeline could lead to more generic availability for patients [5].

Sources:

[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-770059
[2] https://www.drugwatch.com/asthma-medication/advair/
[3] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-10310911
[4] https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/value-improvement/pharmaceutical-giants-authorized-generics-a-strategy-to-thwart-generic-drug-companies.html
[5] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-10310911