Elixir's Specialty Pharmacy Selected as One of Only 13 Pharmacies for the Limited Distribution Network of Cancer Drug Lenvima®
April 28, 2022 - Elixir, a pharmacy benefit manager owned by Rite Aid Corporation, announced that its specialty pharmacy, Elixir Specialty, was recently selected to be added to the limited distribution network of only 13 pharmacies nationwide to distribute the cancer drug Lenvima (lenvatinib). Because of the complexity of specialty medications, they are often released as limited distribution drugs (LDD) to an exclusive network of pharmacies that can demonstrate the ability to provide the highest clinical standards, including understanding of the disease state, the ability to properly handle and store the medication, as well as provide patient monitoring, education, support and care, which is needed to optimize the treatment.
Lenvima, a kinase inhibitor developed by Eisai, is an oral capsule indicated for the treatment of thyroid, kidney, liver and endometrial cancers, some in combination with other drugs. Like most oncology treatments, there is a risk of drug toxicity and adverse events. "Our clinical program proactively addresses and mitigates risk to avoid premature therapeutic discontinuation," said Jordan Maddocks, director of clinical services and outcomes for Elixir Specialty. "This allows members to continue with their treatment to get the most out of their therapy, improving their whole health."
Elixir Specialty's comprehensive care model is designed to keep individuals on their therapy by managing controllable reasons for discontinuations. It includes programs for adherence, side effect management, missed doses and administration difficulties that are both proactive and reactive to assist the individual throughout their treatment journey. Specially trained pharmacists, including Certified Specialty Pharmacists (CSPs), work with cancer patients before they even take their first dose of Lenvima, ensuring they know what to expect, coordinating the optimal time to start therapy given potential side effects and their readiness to begin treatment. The oncology care team provides comprehensive support, helping members manage side effects and overcome therapy hurdles to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, to ensure cost is not a barrier, Elixir Specialty links members to available financial assistance programs. Pharmacists continue to monitor and track the member's progress throughout treatment, intervening when needed to provide optimal results.
This individualized care has resulted in an average oncology Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) rate of 92.8%, compared to an industry average of 86%.[1]PDC is a measurement for adherence that is determined by how often and consistently an individual takes their medication. Similarly, the side effect discontinuation rate was only 2.6%, in 2021, compared to a benchmark of 6%, and a dose reduction rate of 4.3% versus the industry average of 14.5%.[1]
Elixir Specialty, accredited by URAC, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies®(NABP®), provides treatments for more than 25 complex therapeutic categories, with access to over 50 other oncolytic LDD medications.
About Elixir
Elixir, a fully owned subsidiary of Rite Aid Corporation, is a pharmacy services provider that offers pharmacy benefit management services, Medicare-approved prescription drug plans, mail and specialty pharmacy solutions, and prescription discount programs to millions of members nationwide. With the unique ability to optimize the full pharmacy care experience, Elixir is crafting solutions for today's pharmacy benefits challenges. For more information, visit elixirsolutions.com.
About Rite Aid Corporation As the trusted, everyday care connector, Rite Aid drives lower health care costs through better coordination, stronger engagement, and personalized services that help consumers achieve whole health for life. We provide an array of whole being health products and services for the entire family through approximately 2,450 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states. Through Elixir, we provide pharmacy benefits and services to millions of members nationwide. For more information, visit www.riteaid.com.
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Elixir Media Contact:
Jan Yates, APR
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
jyates@elixirsolutions.com
813-335-7625
[1] Elixir Specialty. 2021 Elixir Specialty Key Performance Indicators. https://elixir.info/specialty-KPI.