Civica Rx

We applaud U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen's efforts to launch a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) inquiry into PBMs that are blocking patient access to low-cost generic medicines. PBMs that profit from higher-priced medicines have a financial disincentive to provide access to low-cost generics, such as those offered by CivicaScript. Profit should not come before patients. https://lnkd.in/ezqVfqRi

Wow! We just learned that Virginia has again been ranked as number one in the U.S. for customized workforce training. We know first-hand of the dedication and expertise of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Talent Accelerator Team. They have helped create and implement innovative training programs for Civica Rx's new hires, leaders and growing teams at our new manufacturing facility in the City of Petersburg, VA. Our state-of-the-art Commonwealth of Virginia facility is the future home of affordable insulin and essential medicines hospitals use every day. “The breadth and speed with which this VEDP program begins to deliver for companies is a highlight that Business Facilities magazine is pleased to recognize in this year’s ranking,” said Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove. “The capability to provide training for businesses across a variety of industries to meet their specific needs is a feature that stands out with the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.” We send heartfelt congratulations to VEDP and the Talent Accelerator Program on this outstanding accomplishment. Thank you for all you do in support of our mission to ensure quality generic medications are available and affordable to everyone! https://lnkd.in/d9AAWi7w

$3 Million in savings for one medication with CivicaScript and Highmark Inc. We're proud to be driving these savings for consumers through our low-cost medication to help treat prostate cancer. This is what inspires us as we work to make quality generic medicines affordable and available to everyone. https://lnkd.in/dbvNMpYc

This new drug shortage report is alarming but not surprising. It shows that the average shortage is lasting three years and getting longer. It demonstrates how price is predictive of a shortage. And, it reports that new shortages in 2023 were predominantly associated with the US and EU. From US Pharmacopeia: "The insights in the USP Annual Drug Shortages Report are derived from USP’s Medicine Supply Map. It uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to identify, characterize, and predict risk in the complex supply chain for manufacturing drug products and their ingredients... "The report provides an in-depth analysis of the factors leading to increased shortages in 2023, particularly in generic sterile injectable medicines. With the average duration of shortages exceeding three years, it's more important than ever to equip your organization to anticipate and mitigate these risks." Key report highlights: --Economic factors: The impact of pricing and manufacturing complexities on drug shortages. --Geographic concentration: How the centralization of production can increase vulnerability. --Quality concerns: Highlighting quality issues from regulatory inspections and recalls that can indicate drug shortage risks. Civica Rx is becoming a part of the solution, ensuring a reliable supply of quality medications for approximately 1,500 member hospitals across the U.S. through longer-term contracts (providing predictability for both hospitals and the manufacturer), fair and sustainable pricing, buffer inventory and a relentless focus on quality. We are also boosting U.S. based sterile injectable manufacturing capability through our new, state-of-the-art facility in City of Petersburg, VA, outside of Richmond, VA. https://lnkd.in/e5ipNB5A

Insights from a panel from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)'s Annual Meeting: Civica Rx's Allan Coukell joined industry leaders to review potential market/economic factors that can improve resiliency in the sterile injectable drug market and discuss potential policy changes to help mitigate future cancer drug shortages. Included in this photo are the panel participants: Julie Gralow, ASCO's Chief Medical Officer, Moderator Robert Califf, MD, US FDA Marta E. Wosinska, Ph.D., The Brookings Institution Alex Oshmyansky, MD, PhD, Cost Plus Drugs Michael S., Association for Accessible Medicines Allan Coukell, BScPharm, Civica Rx Allan is pictured at the far right in the bottom row. He stressed towards the end of the session (link included) that there is an opportunity now to address shortages by leaning in to models that build in resiliency, such as buffer stock and quality focus. "While it's encouraging that [Congress is focusing on shortages], we don't have to and shouldn't wait for that - it's a tough environment in Congress right now. My takeaway is, go out and pursue these models that build in this kind of resiliency that we need, that patients need." Dr. Califf added as a takeaway, "take these [issues] to the CEOs of institutions with a little bit of the flavor we talked about today because ultimately they could move now to make these differences...[They] have some of their best pharmacists spending their time learning the intricacies of how secure a product in a crazy supply chain situation instead of focusing on their real expertise which is which patient should get which drugs at the right time." Congrats and thank you to all for shedding more light on the causes and potential solutions for drug shortages. #ASCO24 #ASCO2024 #ASCOAM2024 https://lnkd.in/e5cJCEYz

It was an honor to spend time with Allan Coukell, Senior Vice President for Public Policy with Civica Rx, discussing his organization’s mission to ensure quality generic medications are available and affordable to all. Civica’s new 140,000 square-foot sterile injectable manufacturing facility in Petersburg has the capacity to produce 90 million vials and 50 million pre-filled syringes of essential medications per year. Civica is also building a high-speed filling line for additional pre-filled insulin pen capacity. Allan discusses Civica’s movement for patients, not profits, in our upcoming series of impact video spotlighting the Alliance members working together to create a reliable supply of safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines.

Thank you, Highmark Inc., for sharing this great example of how patients and plans are saving via partnerships with CivicaScript. Thank you for your leadership!

This article takes a deep dive into the equipment/partners that will help us prevent and mitigate drug shortages and deliver affordable insulin from our new state-of-the-art facility in City of Petersburg, VA, outside of Richmond. Civica Rx's Jason Winfield (Site Engineering Lead) shares information about equipment choices and capabilities, with Civica's mission top-of-mind. Thanks to Healthcare Packaging author Keren Sookne and equipment partners Matt Clifton (groninger USA, groninger & co. gmbh) and Marc Suter (SKAN) for taking the time to share updates about this exciting work. Our partners fully embrace Civica's mission. From SKAN's Marc Suter about our affordable insulin initiative: “What struck me...is they’ve already made an impact on the industry. You’ve seen competitors dropping their prices already because of the example they're setting. I’m just waiting for the moment when our lines are up and running and filling the affordable insulin. I'm really looking forward to that.” https://lnkd.in/e3wUAsR6

“…what’s become clear is that it’s an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. What we need is policy that really changes what’s happening at the top of the cliff, which is changing the way the supply chain works so we move towards more resilient models.” – Allan Coukell, SVP, Public Policy at Civica Rx. In a recent interview with Dave Muoio on Fierce Healthcare’s podcast, Podnosis, Civica's Allan Coukell discusses challenges related to drug shortages and potential solutions. Every hospital in the U.S. is dealing with generic drug shortages, with sterile injectable drugs used in patient care, ICU treatment, and more, as the most critical. While some hospitals are able to manage these shortages with excess staff and alternative treatments, others are forced to delay procedures, potentially resulting in negative impacts to patient care. There are opportunities to improve the way the supply chain works, moving toward more resilient approaches. This includes shifting away from always choosing the lowest cost drug available to building buffer stocks and prioritizing manufacturers based on quality considerations. Allan shares an example of how Civica’s model is helping some hospitals receive a steady supply of essential medicines today. By vetting for quality, building a six-month buffer of stock, and having pricing intended to stabilize the market, Civica is able to provide hospitals with reliable access to medicines they rely on every day. While there can be a cost associated with this approach, it’s an achievable insurance policy that will ultimately save costs in the long term. Thank you to Fierce Healthcare for highlighting this critical issue. We look forward to continuing to work toward solutions that ensure patients have access to the medications they need. https://lnkd.in/di7Qp52T

Happy National Hospital Week 2024! Civica Rx was created by hospitals for hospitals to address chronic drug shortages. Together we are making progress to stabilize the supply of essential medicines hospitals rely on every day for patient care. #WeAreHealthcare National Hospital Week is an opportunity to highlight hospitals, health systems and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting and connected to their community. Thank you - this week and throughout the year - to caregivers, pharmacists and all of the talented teams that enable hospitals to help people get better. https://lnkd.in/eTk69RsZ