Civica Rx Names New Retail Generics Unit, Catalent as Mfg Partner
Civica Rx, a non-profit pharmaceutical company providing generic drugs, including drugs in shortage, has announced CivicaScript as the name of its new retail generics operating unit. Additionally, Anthem, a health insurance company, has become a new CivicaScript member, and Catalent was named a manufacturing partner
Civica Rx was established in 2018 as a non-profit, non-stock, member-supported corporation to provide generic drugs in shortage in a hospital setting. The company is headed by President and CEO, Martin VanTrieste, formerly Senior Vice President of Quality at Amgen. In 2020, Civica Rx formed a yet-to-be named subsidiary, now Civica Script, to provide generic drugs directly to consumers through retail pharmacies.
Anthem, a Blue Cross Blue Shield company, is joining CivicaScript as a new health insurer partner, joining the entity’s co-founders, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and 17 independent and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies.
In 2020, Civica and the BCBS companies announced the formation of the new subsidiary, now CivicaScript. Anthem has joined the 17 other BCBS companies and BCBSA to capitalize the CivicaScript venture. All of Civica’s hospital system members will have access to the retail medications manufactured by CivicaScript.
In a separate development, Catalent has entered into a long-term manufacturing partnership with CivicaScript. CivicaScript will initially develop and manufacture six to ten common generic medicines. Catalent will manufacture a range of generic drugs from CivicaScript-owned abbreviated new drug applications. Production will take place at Catalent’s oral solids facilities in Somerset, New Jersey and Winchester, Kentucky.
The first CivicaScript generic medicines will be available in 2022 through retail and mail-order pharmacies.
Also, Gina Guinasso, has been named as President, CivicaScript. She was most recently Senior Vice President of Commercial and Medicare Formulary of OptumRx, a United Health Group company. Prior to OptumRx, she held leadership positions in federal and state policy, reimbursement strategy, and payer account management at Takeda Oncology, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, and Acorda Therapeutics.