Giant Eagle to expand specialty pharmacy with Rx21 acquisition

Pittsburgh — Giant Eagle on Monday announced the acquisition of Rx21 Specialty Pharmacy, enabling the company to provide enhanced services to Hepatitis C and organ transplant patients and providers.

"[This will] improve our ability to help patients manage Hepatitis C and transplant conditions with enhanced clinical, operational and mail capabilities," stated Brett Merrell, Giant Eagle SVP health and wellness. "We greatly value the expertise gained with the new acquisition of Rx21, particularly at a time when two significant new Hepatitis C treatments are becoming available."

"Giant Eagle's commitment to delivering specialty medications with value added services, such as patient education, financial counseling and prior authorization assistance for the doctors, makes for a perfect partnership with Rx21," said Rx21 owner David Hollis. "This collaboration also will give Rx21 patients the option to pick up medications at Giant Eagle Pharmacy locations, creating an unmatched patient experience."

In addition to access to Rx21's expertise and clinical support, Giant Eagle Specialty Pharmacy customers suffering from Hepatitis C and transplant conditions now have 24-hour-a-day access to pharmacists ready to provide counsel on medication management.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Olysio (simeprevir) for use as treatment by those suffering from Hepatitis C, and is expected to approve a similar new drug, sofosbuvir, soon. These medications could offer a more effective approach to treating and eliminating Hepatitis C.

Services available to all Giant Eagle Specialty Pharmacy customers include:

• Full support of prior authorizations;


• Coordination of financial assistance, including co-payment assistance for eligible prescriptions;


• A dedicated team of patient care advocates supporting patients regularly throughout their treatment;


• Routine communication and updates with doctors' offices;


• Drug administration counseling, including injection training when patients begin therapy;


• Regular refill reminder calls; and


• Specialty medications and pharmacy services are used in the treatment of chronic conditions and in complex treatment regimens for cancer, Hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Medications used to treat these conditions often are significantly more complex than traditional prescriptions, and in many occasions, may involve financial aid and ongoing management of side effects, dosage changes, refills and adherence.