Capital Blue Cross is expanding its efforts with the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company to make lower‑cost biosimilar alternatives to Humira^® and Stelara^® available to commercial members.

Beginning May 1, Capital’s commercial prescription drug plans will cover two biosimilars available from Cost Plus Drugs, reflecting the health plan’s continued focus on improving affordability and access in the specialty drug market.

“By expanding our work with Cost Plus Drugs, we’re giving Capital Blue Cross employers and members access to lower‑cost alternatives to some of the most expensive and commonly prescribed specialty medications,” said Gary Petruzzelli, Vice President of Pharmacy Strategy and Services at Capital Blue Cross. “Biosimilars represent a meaningful opportunity to reduce overall healthcare spending, and this initiative helps ensure those savings reach people who depend on these medications.”

In 2022, Capital became the first insurer in the nation to cover prescriptions filled through Cost Plus Drugs, an online pharmacy selling medications at transparent prices based on drug acquisition cost plus a small standard markup. With its newest announcement, Capital becomes the first health plan in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley to make these lower-cost biosimilar options for Humira and Stelara available to commercial members through their prescription drug plan.

The biosimilars include:

• Adalimumab‑fkjp, an interchangeable biosimilar for Humira, currently priced at $423 through Cost Plus Drugs (two 40 mg/0.8 mL pens). Humira’s current list price is about $8,000 for a 30-day supply.
• Starjemza, an interchangeable biosimilar for Stelara, currently priced at $360 through Cost Plus Drugs (one 45 mg or 90 mg/0.5 mL dose) for a 30-day supply. Stelara’s current list price is around $30,000.

Actual member cost‑sharing will depend on the individual’s pharmacy benefit.

What is a biosimilar?

Humira and Stelara are biologic medications, a class of drugs made from living cells, and commonly prescribed to treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Biosimilars are similar but not identical to their original biologics. Like their biologic originator, biosimilars go through clinical trials and are required by the FDA to show the same effectiveness and side effects.

The major difference is price.

Biologics account for nearly half of U.S. prescription drug spending, despite representing only a small percentage of all prescriptions. Biosimilars are generally cheaper than biologics, with cost savings ranging from 10% to 37%.

As more biosimilars become available, they’re playing a growing role in helping patients and employers manage prescription drug costs.

Starjemza became available through Cost Plus Drugs in November 2025, and Adalimumab‑fkjp has been sold through Cost Plus Drugs since March 2026.

 ^** Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC is contracted through Prime Therapeutics LLC to provide mail pharmacy services to members of Capital Blue Cross. On behalf of Capital Blue Cross, Prime Therapeutics LLC assists in the administration of our prescription drug program. Prime Therapeutics LLC is an independent pharmacy benefit manager.