Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has signed an outcomes-based contract with Prime Therapeutics, an Eagan, Minnesota-headquartered pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), for Jardiance (empagliflozin), a drug for treating Type II diabetes. The drug is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with Type II diabetes mellitus as well as for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type II diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The drug is part of a diabetes alliance formed between BI and Eli Lilly and Company in 2011.

Prime, a PBM owned by 18 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, is able to analyze both medical and pharmacy claims data to evaluate and manage total cost of care. The agreement will focus on the total cost of care for members taking Jardiance and comparing that to the total cost of care for patients taking other diabetic medications. In this manner, Prime said it can evaluate the combined pharmacy and medical cost on select therapies and its impact on overall health costs for members.

The pact is part of Prime’s CareCentered Contracting agreements, which serve as part of a multi-pronged strategy to help control costs for Prime’s clients, employers, and members. Jardiance adds to Prime’s portfolio of CareCentered Contracting agreements in the diabetes category and the comprehensive treatment of diabetes is an area of strategic focus for Prime. Prime has also signed CareCentered Contracting agreements with other companies, including Novo Nordisk, Merck KGaA, and Biogen.

Source: Prime Therapeutics