22-Year-Old Dies From Asthma After Not Being Able To Afford An Inhaler That Costs $500!
Asthma fatality ignites legal battle over $500 inhaler price spike.
By Kushani Gunathilaka
February 5, 2025
1:12 GMT-0830
A Wisconsin family grapples with grief after the unexpected death of 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht. His life was tragically cut short by an asthma attack. His condition got worse and could not be managed due to the sudden increase in inhaler costs.
Cole treated his chronic asthma with an Advair Diskus inhaler, which previously cost him no more than $66. However, dramatic changes in his insurance coverage saw this price skyrocket to $539.
OptumRx, formerly providing coverage, withdrew support for Schmidtknecht's medication. Left with a hefty out-of-pocket expense and no financial alternative, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
On January 10, 2024, Cole sought to refill his prescription at a local pharmacy. Shockingly, he was informed that his insurance no longer covered the inhaler. He ran out of options.
Without warning, Cole was thrust into a harsh reality where financial constraints dictated health responses. Confounded and unable to afford his medication, he left the pharmacy empty-handed On Jan. 15, 2024, Cole's roommate drove him to an emergency room for a severe asthma attack and he became unresponsive in the car. After receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the ER, Cole also spent time in an intensive care unit. Tragically, he never woke up and was pronounced dead on Jan. 21.
Despite seeking guidance, Walgreens reportedly did not offer viable alternatives. Cole’s family is now pursuing legal action to address these critical failings. "Defendant Optum Rx had a duty to not artificially inflate prescription drug prices for medications such as Advair Diskus for insured patients, including Cole Schmidtknecht, making them so unaffordable that patients could not obtain the medications their physicians prescribed," the lawsuit said.
This tragic incident raises pressing questions about healthcare accessibility and insurance protocols. Cole's case is unfortunately symbolic of a larger systemic issue plaguing many Americans.
The legal complaint filed by the family underscores their demand for accountability. They argue the sudden withdrawal of support violated fair practice expectations. "Walgreens Defendants failed to exercise reasonable care in that they knew, or should have known, of the unreasonable risk of harm to asthmatic patients, including Cole Schmidtknecht, that would result from their failing to provide him with Advair Diskus or a medically equivalent alternative medication at an affordable price at the point of service." said Cole's family in the law suit.
Asthma, a manageable condition, turns lethal in the face of insurmountable medical costs. This raises ethical concerns about profit-driven healthcare practices. "If you are struggling to breathe it is imperative that you seek medical help immediately through your doctor, by going to the emergency room or by calling 911." said Dr. Jade Cobern, MD, MPH (board-certified in pediatrics and general preventive medicine) regarding the increasing costs of medication.
Cole’s death serves as a somber reminder of unfulfilled promises within the healthcare system. His story stands as a dire warning for the urgent need for reform.
As the lawsuit proceeds, public attention is drawn to the consequences faced by the underprivileged. The case hopes to catalyze meaningful change in insurance regulation. Just a few months after Cole's death, Advair manufacturers, GSK, announced that starting from January 2025 the most people will pay out of pocket for their inhaler is $35 a month.
Individuals and advocacy groups demand transparency and fairness in drug pricing structures. The narrative of Cole's life and untimely death seeks to inspire policy shifts.
While Cole's family mourns, they also courageously highlight their plight. Their legal action aims to ensure no family experiences such preventable heartache again.
