The Cost Problem with Dulera

As a prescriber, you know the frustration: you've determined that Dulera (mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate) is the right ICS/LABA for your patient, but cost becomes the barrier to adherence. With a cash price of $400-$500 per inhaler and no generic available as of 2026, many patients struggle to afford it — even with insurance.

This guide outlines the savings programs, strategies, and resources available to help your patients access Dulera without financial hardship. For the patient-facing version of this information, see our guide on how to save money on Dulera.

Understanding the Coverage Landscape

Before exploring savings options, it helps to understand why Dulera presents unique cost challenges:

• No generic available — Dulera remains brand-only, keeping prices high
• Formulary position — Many plans place Dulera on Tier 3 (non-preferred brand) or higher, resulting in higher copays
• Step therapy requirements — Most insurers require patients to try and fail on preferred ICS/LABAs (generic Advair, generic Symbicort) before covering Dulera
• Prior authorization — Frequently required, adding administrative burden
• Supply shortages — Ongoing Dulera shortages compound the problem when patients can't fill prescriptions at their usual pharmacy

Understanding these barriers lets you proactively address them with patients and staff.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Organon Dulera Savings Card

This is the most impactful resource for commercially insured patients:

• Eligible patients may pay as little as $15 per prescription
• Valid for up to 12 qualifying prescriptions per year
• Patients can enroll at dulera.com/savings-offer
• Can be used at most retail pharmacies

Eligibility requirements:

• Must have commercial (private) insurance
• Not valid for patients with government insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VA, or any other federal/state healthcare program
• Patient must be a U.S. resident

Practice tip: Keep printed enrollment information in your exam rooms or have your staff mention it when sending Dulera prescriptions. Many patients don't know these programs exist until their provider tells them.

Organon Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

For uninsured or underinsured patients who can't afford Dulera at all:

• Provides Dulera at no cost to qualifying patients
• Eligibility is income-based
• Contact Organon at 1-844-674-3200
• Also accessible through NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) and RxAssist (rxassist.org)

Practice tip: Designate a staff member to handle PAP applications. The paperwork requires provider involvement (prescriber signature, diagnosis codes), so having a streamlined process saves time for everyone.

Insurance Optimization Strategies

Prior Authorization Best Practices

When submitting prior authorization for Dulera, strengthen your case by documenting:

• Previous trials of preferred ICS/LABA alternatives and specific reasons for failure (side effects, lack of efficacy, allergic reactions)
• Clinical justification for why Dulera is medically necessary for this specific patient
• Relevant spirometry or peak flow data
• History of asthma exacerbations on alternative therapies

Practice tip: Keep a PA template specific to Dulera that your staff can quickly customize. This reduces turnaround time and improves approval rates.

Appeal Denied Authorizations

If a prior authorization is denied:

• Review the denial reason carefully — it often identifies exactly what documentation is missing
• Submit a peer-to-peer review request — speaking directly with the insurance medical director is often the fastest path to approval
• Include supporting literature if the denial seems clinically unjustified
• Document everything for the patient's chart

Explore Plan Exceptions

Some insurance plans offer formulary exception processes. If a patient has a documented medical reason for needing Dulera over preferred alternatives, you can request the plan cover it at a lower tier.

Discount Card Programs

For patients paying out of pocket or facing high copays, third-party discount cards can help:

• GoodRx (goodrx.com) — Compare Dulera prices across pharmacies
• SingleCare (singlecare.com) — Free discount card accepted at most pharmacies
• RxSaver (rxsaver.com) — Price comparison tool
• Optum Perks (perks.optum.com) — Discounts on brand medications

Important note: Discount cards cannot be combined with insurance. They're most useful for uninsured patients or when the cash price with a discount card is lower than the insurance copay.

When to Consider Therapeutic Alternatives

Sometimes the most effective cost-saving strategy is switching to a more affordable ICS/LABA. As a prescriber, consider alternatives when:

• The patient can't afford Dulera even with savings programs
• Dulera is unavailable due to shortage
• Insurance repeatedly denies coverage
• The patient would benefit from a once-daily option

Comparable alternatives include:

• Generic Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) — Uses the same LABA as Dulera, now available for approximately $97 with a coupon. Easiest transition since the formoterol component is identical.
• Generic Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) — Widely available and well-covered by most formularies.
• Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol) — Once-daily dosing may improve adherence for some patients.
• AirDuo RespiClick (fluticasone/salmeterol) — Generic dry powder option.

For a detailed comparison, refer patients to our article on alternatives to Dulera.

Helping Patients Find Dulera in Stock

Cost savings don't matter if the patient can't find Dulera at a pharmacy. With ongoing supply disruptions, recommend these strategies:

• MedFinder for Providers — Direct patients to medfinder.com/providers for real-time pharmacy stock information
• Specialty pharmacies — Often have better access to medications affected by shortages
• Mail-order pharmacies — Larger distribution networks may have better supply
• Multiple pharmacy networks — Encourage patients to check multiple pharmacy chains

For more strategies, see our provider guide on helping patients find Dulera in stock.

Building a Cost-Conscious Workflow

Integrate cost awareness into your prescribing workflow:

1. Check formulary status before prescribing — Use your EHR's formulary checker or ask the patient about their plan's preferred medications.
2. Discuss cost at the point of prescribing — Don't wait for the pharmacy to deliver the sticker shock. Ask: "Do you have concerns about medication costs?"
3. Provide savings resources proactively — Hand patients the Organon savings card information before they leave the office.
4. Train staff on PAP applications — Make it a standard part of your workflow for patients who express financial concerns.
5. Follow up on fills — Check at the next visit whether the patient actually filled and is taking Dulera. Cost-related non-adherence is common and often goes unreported.

Resources at a Glance

• Organon Savings Card: dulera.com/savings-offer (commercially insured, pay as low as $15)
• Organon PAP: 1-844-674-3200 (uninsured/underinsured)
• NeedyMeds: needymeds.org (comprehensive database of assistance programs)
• RxAssist: rxassist.org (patient assistance program directory)
• MedFinder for Providers: medfinder.com/providers (find Dulera stock, patient tools)

The Bottom Line

Dulera's high cost and lack of a generic create real barriers to adherence. But between manufacturer programs, insurance optimization, discount cards, and strategic use of alternatives, there are multiple pathways to help your patients access effective asthma treatment. The key is being proactive — addressing cost before it becomes the reason your patient stops taking their controller inhaler.

For tools to help your patients find and afford their medications, visit medfinder.com/providers.