Lumicera Health Services, a specialty pharmacy solutions company, has announced a strategic partnership with Costco Wholesale Corporation (Nasdaq: COST) aimed at expanding cost-plus specialty pharmacy services in the marketplace. The collaboration focuses on delivering specialty medications with enhanced patient support, pricing transparency, and clinical expertise for individuals with chronic and rare conditions.
Through this partnership, commercial employer benefit plan sponsors and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that work with Costco Pharmacy for cost-plus pharmacy will gain access to complex and often expensive medication therapies at an auditable cost. This approach addresses growing concerns about specialty medication pricing and accessibility.
Expanding Specialty Pharmacy Capabilities
The partnership leverages Lumicera's decade-long expertise in specialty pharmacy operations. As one of the top 15 specialty pharmacies in the United States, Lumicera specializes in the acquisition and distribution of medications requiring special handling, including those needing refrigeration and other specific logistical requirements.
Richard Stephens, Senior Vice President of Costco Pharmacy, emphasized the alignment between the companies: "Costco and Lumicera are united by a commitment to transparency, exceptional quality, and a member-centric approach. 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."
The collaboration enables Costco to expand its operational capabilities and service expertise in the specialty pharmacy sector, which has become increasingly important as more complex therapies enter the market.
Enhanced Patient Support Model
A key component of the partnership is Lumicera's comprehensive patient support model, which achieved a world-class patient net promoter score of 85.5 in 2024. This model includes several Centers of Excellence (COE) offering robust, 24/7 patient support and customized treatments delivered by specially trained staff.
For patients with chronic and rare conditions, this means access to personalized assistance and resources designed to improve medication adherence and overall health outcomes. The enhanced support structure addresses the unique challenges faced by patients requiring specialty medications, which often involve complex administration protocols and potential side effects.
Addressing Cost Transparency in Specialty Medications
As specialty drug prices continue to rise, the partnership emphasizes a commitment to pricing transparency and cost management. The cost-plus pricing model provides a clearer view of medication expenses by returning all negotiated discounts from pharmaceutical companies through a pass-through, acquisition cost-plus approach.
"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."
Heiser added that by returning all negotiated discounts from drug companies, the model helps "keep medication costs as low as possible, ensuring people can afford the critical treatments they need."
Organizational Background
Lumicera Health Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navitus Health Solutions, which is co-owned by SSM Health and Costco. This existing relationship provided a foundation for the expanded partnership announced today.
The collaboration represents a significant development in the specialty pharmacy landscape, potentially influencing how these high-cost medications are priced and delivered to patients across the United States. As specialty medications continue to represent a growing portion of pharmaceutical spending, innovative approaches to cost management and patient support will likely become increasingly important for healthcare stakeholders.
