Capital Blue Cross is partnering with the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. to make lower‑cost biosimilar alternatives to Humira and Stelara available to commercial members. The insurer, based in Harrisburg, Pa., serves a 21-county region in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.
"By expanding our work with Cost Plus Drugs, we're giving Capital Blue Cross employers and members access to lower‑cost alternatives to some of the most expensive and commonly prescribed specialty medications," Gary Petruzzelli, vice president of pharmacy strategy and services, said in a news release. "Biosimilars represent a meaningful opportunity to reduce overall health care spending, and this initiative helps ensure those savings reach people who depend on these medications."
This initiative builds upon an existing relationship between the two companies. In 2022, Capital became the first insurer in the nation to cover prescriptions filled through Cost Plus Drugs. The online pharmacy sells medications at transparent prices based on drug acquisition cost plus a small standard markup. With its latest announcement, Capital becomes the first health plan in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley to make these lower-cost biosimilar options for Humira and Stelara available to commercial members through their prescription drug plan.
Humira and Stelara are biologic medications, a class of drugs made from living cells and commonly prescribed to treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Biosimilars are similar but not identical to their original biologics. Like their biologic originator, biosimilars go through clinical trials and are required by the FDA to show the same effectiveness and side effects. The major difference is price:
- Adalimumab-fkjp, an interchangeable biosimilar for Humira, currently is priced at $423 through Cost Plus Drugs. Humira's current list price is $8,000 for a 30-day supply.
- Starjemza, an interchangeable biosimilar for Stelara, currently is priced at $360 through Cost Plus Drugs for a 30-day supply. Stelara's current list price is around $30,000.
Starjemza became available through Cost Plus Drugs in November 2025, and Adalimumab-fkjp has been sold through Cost Plus Drugs since March 2026. Actual member cost-sharing will depend on the individual's pharmacy benefit.
Biologics account for nearly half of U.S. prescription drug spending, despite representing only a small percentage of all prescriptions. Biosimilars generally are less expensive than biologics, with cost savings ranging from 10% to 37% "As more biosimilars become available, they're playing a growing role in helping patients and employers manage prescription drug costs," the news release said.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.