LLY Eli Lilly and Co

NEW YORK, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blink Health, America's leading prescription drug savings platform, today launched a program to help #TreatType2 diabetes by committing to give away $10 million worth of medication to patients with type-2 diabetes. People living with diabetes who create an account on Blink Health's website or free mobile app, starting today, will receive a free, one-year supply of the three most commonly prescribed generic medications for type-2 diabetes: metformin, glipizide and pioglitazone. The program will also cover these three medications for existing Blink Health patients who use them.  

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As part of Blink Health's ongoing commitment to support people who are living with diabetes, the #TreatType2 program is designed to help the largest population of people managing this condition. Of the nearly 29 million Americans with diabetes, approximately 95 percent have been diagnosed with type 2.¹

Blink Health will provide the free medications to everyone until it has committed to spending $10 million on the medications.  Any patient with a prescription for any or all of these three medications is eligible to receive medication for free. There is no cost to join Blink Health, and medication can be picked up at over 57,000 pharmacies nationwide, including Walmart, CVS, Rite-Aid, Target, and most independent pharmacies and grocers. 

The $10 million commitment is based on Blink's cost to purchase the medication and represents savings for consumers of up to $80 million, based on the retail prices of these medications for one year.

"Diabetes is a growing epidemic that affects 1 in 11 Americans, and Blink Health is committed to doing all it can to help patients manage this chronic illness," said Geoffrey Chaiken, Co-Founder and CEO of Blink Health. "We have seen far too many people who are struggling to afford prescription medication, and we've launched this program to help address the problem one patient at a time."

In April, Blink Health raised $90 million to drive innovations that accelerate its mission of making prescription medications affordable and transparently priced for everyone in the U.S.  With this $10 million commitment, Blink Health is using a substantial portion of these funds to directly help hundreds of thousands of people living with diabetes, who have health care costs 2.3 times greater, on average, than those without diabetes.²

Chaiken added, "Blink Health is committed to supporting people with diabetes through the #TreatType2 program and through our groundbreaking insulin discount program with many of Eli Lilly's insulin products.  If you have diabetes – or if you know someone who does – sign up for Blink Health today. When you use Blink Health, you are joining a growing network of Americans who are tired of overpaying for their medications. Together, we are able to negotiate with pharmacies to determine one low price for each medication that is accepted at over 57,000 pharmacies nationwide.  The more people who join the 'Blink Health Nation,' the better our overall discounts will be." 

Information About Diabetes 

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates (foods that become sugar in the body) and elevated levels of glucose (digested sugar) in the blood and urine. Diabetes is categorized as type 1,  aka juvenile diabetes, or type 2, which starts later in life. Untreated diabetes creates blood vessel damage, poor circulation that can lead to loss of limbs, as well as blindness and other grave consequences. The vast majority of people today have type-2 diabetes, which is treated primarily with medications that regulate blood sugar. People born with type-1 diabetes must take insulin to regulate their blood sugar. 

Information About Discounted Insulin Available Through Blink Health 

Blink Health is also working on solutions to lower the price of insulin. As announced in December 2016, Blink Health and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) have entered into a first-of-its-kind access program to offer a 40 percent discount on Lilly insulins, including Humalog, one of the most widely prescribed branded insulin medications. Blink Health is pursuing similar arrangements with other pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to offer discounted medication and supplies. 

Attendance at American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions

Representatives of Blink Health will attend the annual American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions, starting Friday, June 9, where clinical advances will be announced. Healthcare providers in attendance who are interested in learning more about Blink Health and the #TreatType2 program can visit Blink Health at the San Diego Convention Center, Booth #1655.   

About Blink Health
Founded in 2014, Blink Health is a technology platform that enables consumers to access the medications they need at prices they can afford at over 57,000 pharmacies nationwide. Blink's website and free mobile app allow users to purchase their medications online and pick them up at their local retailer for up to 90% off the average retail price. Blink Health groups patients together to leverage their purchasing power and secure significantly lower prices for the most-prescribed medications in America.  

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¹ Source:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes: At a Glance 2016, available at: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/pdf/2016/diabetes-aag.pdf
² Source: American Diabetes Association, The Staggering Cost of Diabetes, available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/infographics/adv-staggering-cost-of-diabetes.html

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SOURCE Blink Health