Cigna Signs Agreement with Gilead to Improve Affordability of Hepatitis C Treatment for Customers and Clients

Cigna (NYSE: CI) has reached an agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) to include Harvoni as the only preferred brand prescription drug treatment for customers with hepatitis C genotype 1, the most common form of the disease in the United States. Cigna clients and customers benefit from obtaining breakthrough clinical cure rates for hepatitis C while significantly lowering the cost of drug treatment.

“Cigna is committed to offering customers and clients the most affordable solutions that deliver improved health while containing both drug and total medical costs. We have selected Gilead’s Harvoni as the preferred drug treatment for hepatitis C genotype 1. Harvoni’s clinical effectiveness, safety and convenience, coupled with our innovative customer counseling, will deliver material health and financial outcomes for our customers and clients,” said Jon Maesner, chief pharmacy officer for Cigna Pharmacy Management.

Clinical studies have shown that 94% to 99% of individuals with genotype 1 hepatitis C treated with Harvoni achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Customers who have an SVR when tested 12 weeks after the completion of treatment are considered cured.

“Cigna continues to invest in analyzing real-world SVR outcomes with the leading hepatitis C treatments across the genotypes as we believe creating alignment around clinical and financial outcomes drives more affordable access to essential medications,” added Maesner. The agreement includes development of an innovative outcomes incentive alignment based on actual SVR results across Cigna's customer population.

Cigna is continuing to:

  • Offer therapy support management through Cigna Specialty Pharmacy Services to every customer undergoing hepatitis C treatment.
  • Conduct real-world outcomes assessments on existing and new hepatitis C drug treatments, including Harvoni, to further develop outcome-based strategies.

Cigna Medicare customers will also now have Harvoni as an additional formulary choice for treatment.

Terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 85 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

Contacts:

Cigna Corporation
Karen Eldred, 860-787-7015
karen.eldred@cigna.com

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