Giant Eagle buys Rx21 Specialty Pharmacy

Giant Eagle last week acquired specialty pharmacy Rx21 Specialty Pharmacy in Dallas, Texas. The pharmacy will help Giant Eagle provide enhanced services to hepatitis C and organ transplant patients and providers.

 “We greatly value the expertise gained with the acquisition of Rx21, particularly at a time when two significant new hepatitis C treatments are becoming available,” said Brett Merrell, senior vice president of health and wellness at Giant Eagle. Merrell is referring to the FDA’s recent approval of simeprevir (Olysio, Janssen Therapeutics), a treatment for adults with chronic hepatitis C, and the agency’s approval of sofosbuvir (Solvadi, Gilead), also for chronic hepatitis C.

“These medications could offer a more-effective approach to treating and eliminating hepatitis C,” according to a statement from Giant Eagle.

Likewise, the acquisition gives Rx21 patients the option to pick up medications and receive pharmacist counseling at Giant Eagle stores, according to Rx21 Owner David Hollis. “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,” Hollis said.

Giant Eagle’s specialty pharmacy services include coordination of financial assistance, including co-payment assistance for eligible prescriptions; a team of patient care advocates who support patients throughout their treatment; full support of prior authorizations; drug administration counseling, including injection training; and regular refill reminder calls.