Blue Cross Organizations Launch Drug Contracting Collective

A group of Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliated health plans have come together to form a medication contracting company, Synergie Medication Collective. Synergie is focused on improving affordability and access to medical benefit drugs, those that are injected or infused in a clinical setting.

Synergie executives said they plan to use their collective reach to engage with pharmaceutical manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to bring transparency and provide more affordable access to high-cost treatments, including gene therapies and infusible cancer drugs.

Founding investors include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
• Elevance Health
• Evio Pharmacy Solutions (founded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Shield of California, Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross)
• Prime Therapeutics (including Magellan Rx Management as part of Prime)
• Independent health plans serving members in communities across the country: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Blue Cross of Idaho, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Premera Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Jarrod Henshaw

Collectively, these organizations serve almost 100 million people. In 2023, Synergie intends to bring to market several new product offerings to the collective.

“I have long believed that a different, more transparent approach to the relationships between industry stakeholders is necessary to create truly affordable and accessible medications for all patients who need them,” Jarrod Henshaw said in a press release. He has been named Synergie's chief executive officer. He has more than 20 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association president and chief executive officer Kim Keck will serve as Synergie’s initial board chair.