Blue KC members and clients have saved with generic prostate cancer drug
Generic drugs have had a profound impact on lowering the overall cost of prescriptions. However, in recent years, the prices of some generics have risen substantially.
CivicaScript®1 has proven its ability to change that with its first product, abiraterone acetate, a generic treatment for prostate cancer. It’s offered through a partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and 22 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies.
Blue KC member savings
A study published in May 2025 by the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst examined the savings achieved by BCBS members who used CivicaScript’s first generic drug:
- Members who access abiraterone acetate through CivicaScript paid $45 per month2
- Members who access abiraterone acetate from other manufacturers pay $126 a month2
- CivicaScript directly saved members 64% — nearly $1,000 per year per member2
Blue KC client savings
Just as BCBS members have experienced the cost benefits of CivicaScript’s abiraterone acetate, closer to home, Blue KC employer groups have, too. They’ve realized cost savings per claim averaging over 95%3 per group.
Danny Weiss, VP, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Blue KC, explains that these plan costs have a secondary benefit to members because reducing claims costs helps to reduce premiums for our members. We have seen this benefit directly over the two years that our plan has partnered with this lower cost option.
What makes CivicaScript unique
CivicaScript works to develop and manufacture generic alternatives for drugs that have too little competition and too high a price. It focuses on transparency and collaboration throughout the value chain – from manufacturing through dispensing – and passes the cost savings along to members. CivicaScript expects to launch additional products by fall 2025.
1 CivicaScript is the Civica, Inc. operating unit that is bringing unprecedented transparency to the drug supply chain to make quality generic medicines affordable and available for everyone. The nonprofit company is committed to the principles of providing affordable, essential generic medicines to promote the social welfare and health of the community. CivicaScript’s members represent more than 100 million covered lives in the United States.
2New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst, Changing the Script on Drug Pricing: A New Type of Supplier Creates Savings for Patients and Plans, May 2025
3 Based on Blue KC claims experience from the January 1, 2022, launch of the CivicaScript program to April 30, 2025
