Civica Rx is a non-profit group of hospitals with the goal of addressing both supply and cost issues of generic drugs. (Photo: Shutterstock)

A dozen more health systems have joined an effort to address chronic shortages of generic drugs at hospitals across the United States.

Civica Rx was first launched in January, 2018, as a non-profit organization based in Salt Lake City. The group originally consisted of seven large health systems that represented approximately 500 hospitals. CEO Martin VanTrieste said at the time that the group would work to address both supply and cost issues of generic drugs.

“Civica Rx will first seek to stabilize the supply of essential generic medications administered in hospitals, many of which have fallen into chronic shortage situations, putting patients at risk.” VanTrieste said. “The initiative will also result in lower costs and more predictable supplies of essential generic medicines, helping ensure that patients and their needs come first in the generic drug marketplace.”

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The new development brings in 12 systems representing approximately 250 hospitals. The group says it now as around 750 hospitals participating at this point, with many others expressing interest.

“We are thrilled to welcome these highly-regarded health systems to Civica as founding members,” VanTrieste said Monday in a statement. “Drug shortages have become a national crisis where patient treatments and surgeries are canceled, delayed, or suboptimal. We thank these organizations for joining us to make essential generic medicines accessible and affordable in hospitals across the country.”

The group said it expects to bring more than 14 hospital-administered generic drugs to its members this year, with many more to come. Civica Rx is seeking approval from the FDA to become a drug manufacturer or to sub-contract with manufacturers.

The new members include Advocate Aurora Health, Allegheny Health Network, Baptist Health South Florida, Franciscan Alliance, Memorial Hermann Health System, NYU Langone Health, Ochsner Health System, Sanford Health, Spectrum Health, St. Luke's University Health Network, Steward Health Care, and UnityPoint Health.

Those health systems join the previously announced governing members of Civica Rx, which include Catholic Health Initiatives; the Gary and Mary West Foundation; HCA Healthcare; Intermountain Healthcare; Laura & John Arnold Foundation; Mayo Clinic; the Peterson Center on Healthcare; Providence St. Joseph Health; SSM Health; and Trinity Health. Civica Rx is also working with the American Hospital Association's (AHA) newly formed AHA Center for Health Innovation in communicating with providers about the organization.

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