Civica
A bold partnership to lower the cost of generic prescription medicines
This partnership with Civica, Inc. (Civica Rx®) is one of the many ways Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are ensuring patients’ needs come first, and that cost savings are passed along to consumers to help decrease health care costs and ensure high-quality health care.
How our partnership works:
- Prioritize generic prescription medicines with the biggest potential for savings
- Produce high-quality generic prescription medicines
- Ensure savings are passed on to patients
- Invite other companies that believe patients come first to join us
CivicaScript®
Bringing low-cost generic drugs to consumers
BCBS companies believe everyone should have access to safe, effective prescription medicines when they need them and at a price they can afford.
That’s why several BCBS companies, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and Civica Rx® co-founded CivicaScript—focused on bringing lower-cost generic prescription medications directly to consumers.
Today, 23 BCBS companies are partners of CivicaScript, alongside other health plans and other parts of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Available CivicaScript generic medications in-market include:
- Abiraterone acetate for the treatment of prostate cancer
- Droxidopa for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension
- Dimethyl fumarate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst shows patients using CivicaScript's abiraterone acetate saved an average of $1,000 per year, paying 64% less for their medication compared to other generic manufacturers.
Our partnership with CivicaScript initiative means savings for individuals and families, with anticipated annually savings in the hundreds of millions.
Read more about our partnership
CivicaScript Partnering BCBS Companies:
Making sure consumers have access to the medicines they need at a price they can afford is a top priority for BCBSA and Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the country. That is why we co-founded CivicaScript, so together we can help get safe, effective and affordable medicines to consumers as quickly as possible.
Civica Foundation®
Drastically reducing out-of-pocket costs for insulin
1 in 4 diabetics ration their insulin over affordability concerns.1
Civica will produce and make available long- and short-acting insulins in both vials and prefilled pens.
1) JAMA, Cost-Related Insulin Underuse Among Patients with Diabetes, 2019
Civica Foundation Partnering BCBS Companies:
Frequently Asked Questions
Millions of hardworking Americans face tough choices due to the high cost of prescription drugs, which are more than twice as expensive as in other developed countries. In fact, 29% of Americans skip or ration their medications because of rising prescription drug costs. High drug prices are a challenge. CivicaScript is addressing this challenge.
Yes. On average, generic prescription medicines cost less than brand name medicines. In some cases, the market is not working to drive down generic drug prices. There are select high-cost generic prescription medicines that are more expensive.
No. BCBS companies are not directly involved in manufacturing. CivicaScript works to develop and manufacture generic alternatives for drugs that have too little competition and too high of a price. They focus on transparency and collaboration throughout the value chain from manufacturing through dispensing and pass the cost savings along to patients.
Right now, CivicaScript is focusing on select high-cost generic prescription medicines that treat a range of health conditions. The three medications currently available include abiraterone acetate for the treatment of prostate cancer, droxidopa for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and dimethyl fumarate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Yes. CivicaScript works with high-quality manufacturers to ensure each generic prescription medicine produced is FDA-approved as safe and effective.
Pharmacies dispense CivicaScript medicines at no more than the maximum retail price, or MaxRP. CivicaScript uses a transparent MaxRP model of ingredient cost plus pharmacy dispensing fee. Consumers can use a QR code featured on every CivicaScript label to see exactly what the MaxRP cost will be.
CivicaScript is expected to launch additional products by fall of 2025, bringing about more savings for American families and employers.
We anticipate this partnership will provide hundreds of millions in savings that will, in turn, be passed along to those in need of these important medications. Research suggests prices for select high-cost generic prescription medicines can be reduced to a fraction of their current costs.
Study results published in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst show patients using CivicaScript's abiraterone acetate saved an average of $1,000 per year, paying 64% less for their medication than what patients pay for other generic manufacturers.
Earlier this year, BCBSA launched a roadmap that would reduce health care costs by nearly $1 trillion over 10 years, which includes solutions to lower prices for prescription drugs like ending Big Pharma tactics that block competition and keep prices high for taxpayers, consumers and patients.