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.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8117451-blink-health-type-2-diabetes-medications/
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.
Information
About the #TreatType2 Program
|
|
What:
|
A free, one-year
supply of the three most commonly prescribed generic medications
for type-2 diabetes: metformin, glipizide and pioglitazone in
their most common dosages:
|
|
|
MEDICATION
|
STRENGTH
|
FORM
|
|
metformin
hcl
|
500 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
metformin
hcl
|
800 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
metformin
hcl
|
1000 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
pioglitazone
hcl
|
15 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
pioglitazone
hcl
|
30 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
pioglitazone
hcl
|
45 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
glipizide
|
5 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
glipizide
|
10 MG
|
TABLET
|
|
|
|
|
Who:
|
Any Blink Health
member with a prescription for the medications. Patients who
are not already a member must create an account at
BlinkHealth.com.
|
|
When:
|
Registration for the
program begins June 7. Registration must be completed by September
12, 2017. The program will end before this date if members
sign up for more than $10 million of the covered
medications.
|
|
Where:
|
The Blink Health
website or free mobile app
|
|
Why:
|
To help patients
afford treatment for type-2 diabetes and bring transparency and
lower drug costs to all Americans.
|
|
Please refer to
the Blink Health website for complete terms and
conditions.
|
|
Patients with
questions about Blink Health or the #TreatType2 program
can call
|
(855) 776-0404 or
e-mail: info@blinkhealth.com.
|
|
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.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter:
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
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/news-alert-blink-health-to-give-away-10-million-worth-of-free-diabetes-medications-to-help-people-afford-treatment-300470428.html
SOURCE Blink Health