Pharmacist's hand holding a prescription bottle
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Partners with 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. 

Read the full announcement

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 announced the formation of a new, yet-to-be-named subsidiary – now 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.

Read more about our partnership

Our partnership with Civica Rx on the CivicaScript initiative means savings for individuals and families. Initial generic prescription medicines are expected to be available in 2022 through retail and mail-order pharmacies, with an anticipated hundreds of millions in savings generated annually.

How our partnership works:

Prioritize generic medications
Prioritize generic prescription medicines with the biggest potential for savings
Produce high quality generics
Produce high-quality generic prescription medicines
Ensure savings are passed on
Ensure savings are passed on to patients
Invite other companies
Invite other companies who believe patients come first to join us

Kim Keck

 

Working together, we can lower the cost of prescription drugs

“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,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “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.”

— Kim Keck, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 

Frequently Asked Questions:

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FAQ Item Question
Aren't generic drugs supposed to be less expensive than brand name drugs?
FAQ Item Answer

Yes. On average, generic prescription medicines cost less than brand name medicines. There are select high-cost generic prescription medicines that are more expensive.

FAQ Item Question
Are BCBS companies manufacturing these drugs?
FAQ Item Answer

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). 

FAQ Item Question
Which drugs will be available at more affordable prices? And how soon?
FAQ Item Answer

Right now, we’re focusing on select high-cost generic prescription medicines that treat a range of health conditions. CivicaScript will share the specifics prior to making them available in 2022.

FAQ Item Question
Are these drugs safe?
FAQ Item Answer

Yes. CivicaScript works with high-quality manufacturers to ensure each generic prescription medicine produced is FDA-approved as safe and effective.

FAQ Item Question
How much money will this partnership save?
FAQ Item Answer

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. 

BCBS Members of the CivicaScript initiative:

If you share our passion for affordable, quality medications, we invite you to join our partnership.

We welcome all interested pharmacies, health plans, employers, wholesalers and other innovators to participate. Contact us to share your interest and we will get back to you with more information.

PARTNER WITH US

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.