Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb Launch Direct-to-Patient Eliquis Program with 40% Discount

Intelligent Finance APP learned that Pfizer (PFE.US) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY.US) announced that starting from September 8, patients can purchase their jointly developed anticoagulant drug Eliquis directly for $346 in cash per month through the newly launched "Eliquis 360 Support" platform. This price is 40% lower than the regular drug price in the U.S. market but still higher than the Medicare pricing negotiated by the Biden administration last year through the Inflation Reduction Act — by 2026, the monthly out-of-pocket cost for Medicare patients will drop to $231.

Two pharmaceutical companies emphasized in a joint statement that the pricing plan was formulated after maintaining close communication with the White House. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly called on drugmakers to lower their prices publicly. Christopher Boerner, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb, stated: "This initiative will genuinely reduce patient expenses and demonstrate our commitment to achieving affordable healthcare through innovative solutions."

Notably, the actual beneficiaries of this cash payment program may be limited. According to Bristol-Myers Squibb, over 90% of current Eliquis users already have their medication costs covered by various health insurance plans.

This adjustment in pricing strategy marks the beginning of large pharmaceutical companies exploring diversified payment models under policy pressure. By establishing official direct purchase channels, pharmaceutical companies can maintain control over terminal prices while avoiding the issue of intermediary markups. As the Inflation Reduction Act is gradually implemented, more patented drugs may follow this model in the future, creating a dual-track payment system that combines government pricing with commercial channels.