OptimizeRx, Cegedim Dendrite announce exclusive partnership

WASHINGTON OptimizeRx Corp. and Cegedim Dendrite, which offers sales and marketing data for pharmaceutical companies, have announced plans to enter into an exclusive relationship to offer a Web-based savings and patient-support program for prescription and healthcare brands.

The partnership “brings together two leaders in an emerging industry segment that aims to help patients begin and maintain their therapies,” according to Cegedim officials.

OptimizeRx gives patients a central way to access and enroll in over 150 savings and support programs. Cegedim Dendrite, through its Opus Health division, offers adjudicated patient support cards to the marketplace and now has more than 45 million money saving “loyalty” cards in circulation, distributed by physicians and pharmacies to patients.

OptimizeRx is targeted to consumers with traditional, employer-provided health insurance who are facing increasing deductibles and co-payments.

OptimizeRx lists deals for about 180 prescription drugs used to treat a range of medical problems, from allergies to sleep disorders. Each offer has different eligibility standards, but there are limitations for patients covered under government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

The offers vary. Some are free trials of varying lengths, such as two weeks or 30 days. Other offers are redeemable only once per person, but others can be used on multiple prescription fills. Many of the offers listed on the site are available directly through pharmaceutical companies, but others are custom-made for the site according to David Harrell, chief executive officer of OptimizeRx. Patients go the site, www.optimizerx.com, sign up for free and then access the list of medications that offer deals.

Company officials say the partnership will allow existing Cegedim Dendrite customers to integrate a Web search tool into their marketing mix, while “getting consistent messaging and reporting across all marketing channels.”

Meanwhile, for healthcare brands without existing patient programs, the partnership supports the launch of OptimizeRx’s proprietary system, OffeRx, a turnkey product designed to integrate the development, promotion and management of customizable patient-offer programs.

Under the partnership, Opus Health will manage the loyalty cards generated through OffeRx. To help administer the program, Opus Health will use contracted relationships with more than 61,000 pharmacies.