Pittsburgh healthcare company purchases orphan drug pharmacy

Pittsburgh-based Centene Corp., a multinational healthcare company providing government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, recently completed the purchase of PANTHERx, a pharmacy specializing in orphan drugs and treating rare diseases.

PANTHERx helps streamline the drug delivery process for patients suffering from rare and devastating conditions.

PANTHERx’s management team will operate independently as part of Centene’s Envolve Pharmacy Solutions.

Envolve Pharmacy Solutions is a drug management program that includes specialty pharmacy solutions and integrated Pharmacy Benefit Manager services. It serves millions of customers nationwide.

“Centene has a long-standing commitment to providing care to the most underserved, complex populations,” Michael F. Neidorff, Centene chairman, president and CEO, said. “PANTHERx adds a unique capability to our comprehensive pharmacy portfolio. We share a common goal of helping to remove barriers and reduce the burden for our members living with complex and rare diseases.”

“We are elated to enter a partnership that will propel us to the next level and provide opportunities for growth and stability while fostering an independence that delivers greater benefits to our patients, partners, and associates,” Dr. Gordon J. Vanscoy, PANTHERx founder and CEO, said. “Centene has committed to nurturing our patient-centric culture and focus on quality that is fundamental to PANTHERx’s tremendous success.”

The companies entered into a definitive purchase agreement on Dec. 15.