Costco: Lumicera, Costco partner to expand specialty pharmacy

MADISON, Wis., and ISSAQUAH, Wash. - Lumicera Health Services has announced a partnership with Costco Wholesale Corp. to expand cost-plus specialty pharmacy in the marketplace and offer a broad spectrum of specialty medications with patient support, pricing transparency and clinical expertise. The company, whose services include home infusion, will provide access to complex and often expensive medication therapies at an auditable cost to commercial employer benefit plan sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers that partner with Costco Pharmacy. "This partnership underscores our dedication to transparency in the pharmaceutical industry," said Ben Heiser, PharmD, MBA, CSP, LSSGB, Lumicera's general manager. "By collaborating with Costco, we extend our cost-plus pricing model for specialty pharmacy, offering a clearer view of medication costs. As drug prices continue to skyrocket, we remain committed to doing things the right way-for both patients and our partners. By returning all negotiated discounts from drug companies through our pass-through, acquisition cost-plus pricing model, we help keep medication costs as low as possible, ensuring people can afford the critical treatments they need." For more than 10 years, Lumicera has specialized in the acquisition and distribution of medications that require special handling, including refrigeration and other logistical requirements. Its model includes comprehensive patient support and customized treatments through several Centers of Excellence. With Lumicera, Costco enhances its ability to serve patients with chronic and rare conditions, offering the personalized assistance and resources they need, the companies say. "Costco and Lumicera are united by a commitment to transparency, exceptional quality, and a member-centric approach," said Richard Stephens, senior vice president, Costco Pharmacy. "With more than a decade of experience delivering specialty pharmacy services, Lumicera brings an industry-leading patient support model to enhance our offerings and improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to continue to deliver significant value on specialty medications by securing better pricing for high-cost drugs, passing these savings directly to our customers, and supporting patient health and improved outcomes."