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
- Capecitabine for the treatment of certain types of cancer
- Dalfampridine, a treatment to improve walking for patients with multiple sclerosis
Affordable biosimilars available in-market include:
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Insulin glargine-yfgn, interchangeable with Lantus to treat diabetes, through private-label distribution in partnership with Civica
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Ustekinumab-aauz, interchangeable with Stelara to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, produced by Fresenius Kabi
New data shows that patients using CivicaScript’s abiraterone paid 64% less last year compared with other generic manufacturers. According to CivicaScript’s 2024 Annual Savings Report, that has translated into $17.8 million in savings for patients and participating health plans.
Our partnership with the CivicaScript initiative means savings for individuals and families, with anticipated annual 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 insulin glargine-yfgn is now available in pharmacies nationwide at the lowest list price in the current market for long-acting insulin. The company plans to expand access by producing and distributing additional long- and short-acting insulin biosimilars 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 five medications currently available are 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, capecitabine for the treatment of certain types of cancer and dalfampridine, a treatment to improve walking for patients with multiple sclerosis.
Affordable biosimilars now in market include insulin glargine-yfgn (Lantus biosimilar) for diabetes and ustekinumab-aauz (Stelara biosimilar) for chronic inflammatory conditions.
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 in 2026, bringing more savings for 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.
Results of CivicaScript's first generic medication, which treats prostate cancer, show patients using its abiraterone acetate saved an average of $700 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.