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Several hospitals and health systems today officially Civica Rx – a new not-for-profit generic drug company that will help patients by addressing shortages and high prices of lifesaving medications. Since the initiative, which was previously known as Project Rx, was announced in January 2018, more than 120 health organizations representing about a third of the nation’s hospitals have contacted Civica Rx and expressed a commitment or interest in participating with the new company.  

“We are creating a public asset with a mission to ensure that essential generic medications are accessible and affordable,” said Civica Rx CEO Martin VanTrieste, former chief quality officer for Amgen. “This will improve the situation for patients by bringing much needed competition to the generic drug market.”

Initial governing members of Civica Rx will include Catholic Health Initiatives, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health and Trinity Health. Other health systems participating with Civica Rx will be announced later this year.

Civica Rx is collaborating with the AHA Center for Health Innovation, which was officially launched yesterday, to manage inquiries about the initiative from the field. Hospitals and health systems can call 800-242-4677 with questions, or visit www.civicarx.org for information.

Civica Rx first will seek to stabilize the supply of essential generic medications administered in hospitals, many of which have fallen into chronic shortage situations, putting patients at risk. Civica Rx expects to have its first products on the market as early as 2019. 

The initiative also is expected to result in lower costs and more predictable supplies of essential generic medicines, helping ensure that patients and their needs come first in the generic drug marketplace, according to the company.