AmerisourceBergen adds to Canadian patient-support services

Copay cards and related financial support for patients (such as vouchers and reimbursement support) have become a standard part of the launch of many new pharmaceuticals, particularly specialty ones. Now, as part of an ongoing buildout of patient support services, Innomar Strategies (Oakville, ON), a unit of AmerisourceBergen Specialty Canada, has acquired CSL, also based in Oakville. “This partnership with Cameron Stewart is a natural extension of our integrated solutions and will enable us to deliver more comprehensive services to our clients, specifically within programs that use co-payment assistance, bridging to reimbursement, e-sampling and compassionate use,” said Guy Payette, president of Innomar, in a statement. “Together, our clients will benefit from our operational efficiencies, with advanced adherence monitoring, integrated data collection and reporting capabilities throughout the patient journey.”

CSL is said to be the first company to offer brand loyalty cards in Canada, and has assisted more than five million patients remain on therapy. It is the developer of the RxHelp.ca platform and RxHelp ONE card, two innovative service offerings used by patients and pharmacies that provide access to savings on more than 40 medications. Innomar provides services ranging from strategic consulting to full-service patient support programs with integrated nursing, pharmacy and specialty distribution services.

AmerisourceBergen had divested much of its Canadian distribution business in 2013, but retained ownership of its specialty distribution business. In 2014 it made a strategic investment in Innomar, expanding its warehousing capacity.