A bold partnership to lower the cost of generic prescription medicines
Civica Rx
Drastically reducing out-of-pocket costs for insulin
1 in 4 diabetics are currently rationing their insulin over affordability concerns.1
To make this life-saving medication affordable and accessible to all Americans, Civica will begin manufacturing and distributing insulin with a recommended purchase price of no more than $30 per vial – a savings of nearly $400 for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
1) JAMA, Cost-Related Insulin Underuse Among Patients with Diabetes, 2019
Partnering BCBS Companies:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
- Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Hawaii
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
- Blue Cross of Idaho
- Blue Shield of California
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
- Florida Blue Foundation
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- Independence Blue Cross
CivicaScript: Bringing generic drugs to consumers at the lowest sustainable price
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (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, in 2020, Civica Rx, an initial 17 BCBS companies and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association co-founded CivicaScript – focused on bringing lower-cost generic prescription medications directly to consumers in hospital or retail pharmacies.
Since then, Anthem, Inc., Health Care Service Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona have joined the other BCBS companies as members of the initiative and Catalent, Inc., a leading global drug development and manufacturing company, has entered into a long-term partnership with CivicaScript to produce essential generic prescription medicines that are widely prescribed for patients.
Our partnership with Civica Rx on the CivicaScript initiative means savings for individuals and families. Initial generic prescription medicines are expected to be available through retail and mail-order pharmacies, with an anticipated hundreds of millions in savings generated annually.
Read More About Our Partnership
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 who believe patients come first to join us
This partnership on the CivicaScript initiative is one of the many ways BCBS companies are ensuring patients’ needs come first, and that cost savings are passed along to consumers to help decrease healthcare costs and ensure high-quality healthcare.
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 last year, so together we can help get safe, effective and affordable medicines to consumers as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Aren't generic drugs supposed to be less expensive than brand name drugs?
Yes. On average, generic prescription medicines cost less than brand name medicines. There are select high-cost generic prescription medicines that are more expensive.
Are BCBS companies manufacturing these drugs?
BCBS companies are not directly involved in manufacturing. Catalent Inc., a global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, is CivicaScript’s drug development and manufacturer partner. They will develop a range of CivicaScript-owned generic prescription medicine Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs).
Which drugs will be available at more affordable prices?
Right now, we’re focusing on select high-cost generic prescription medicines that treat a range of health conditions.
Are these drugs safe?
Yes. CivicaScript works with high-quality manufacturers to ensure each generic prescription medicine produced is FDA-approved as safe and effective.
How much money will this partnership save?
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, saving patients hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
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