A unique approach to improving access to lower-cost generic medications has led to an average savings of nearly $1,000 per year for Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) members who use the drug.
A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst examined the savings from the first generic drug offered by CivicaScript®, a partnership among Independence Blue Cross (IBX) and 22 other BCBS companies.
“This progress is very encouraging and makes us proud to be part of the ongoing effort to tackle high prescription drug costs, as it is one of the biggest challenges we have in health care. “This is just one of the many ways IBX is working to lower health care costs and create healthier, stronger communities. We look forward to continuing this important work with CivicaScript so that everyone has access to life-saving medications, regardless of their financial circumstances,” said Susan Larkin, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Independence Blue Cross.
In the study, researchers looked at CivicaScript’s first product, abiraterone acetate, a treatment for prostate cancer, to understand how much savings the CivicaScript model could yield. Results showed:
- Patients who access abiraterone acetate from other manufacturers pay $126 a month
- Patients who access abiraterone acetate through CivicaScript paid $45 per month
- CivicaScript saved patients 64%—nearly $1,000 per year
Generic medicines are often a more affordable alternative to brand-name drugs, but in recent years, the price of some generics has increased substantially, raising costs for patients. 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.
According to a survey, nearly 80% of respondents said the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. is “unreasonable,” 29% reported not taking their medication as prescribed in the last year because of cost and 8% said their condition got worse because they did not take the drug as recommended.
CivicaScript is expected to launch additional products by fall of 2025, bringing about more savings for American families and employers. CivicaScript builds on the mission of sister company Civica, Inc. (Civica Rx®), which works to prevent chronic shortages of hospital-based medicines and the price spikes that often accompany them.
These efforts are one of the many ways IBX is making health care more affordable for the people and communities we serve.
Early this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association launched an affordability roadmap that could save the country nearly $1 trillion over 10 years, which includes solutions to ending pharmaceutical companies’ market manipulation tactics that prevent lower-cost, generic alternatives from reaching patients.
Media contact:
Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828 (cell)
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com
