Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer to Sell Eliquis Directly to Patients

Through the Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance, the pharmaceutical companies are bringing apixaban (Eliquis) directly to patients at over 40% less than the list price, according to a Bristol Myers Squibb press release.¹

“The BMS-Pfizer Alliance is committed to increasing patient access and affordability, which is why we are launching this direct-to-patient offering for [apixaban],” said Christopher Boerner, PhD, board chair and CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb. “[Apixaban] is the nation’s No. 1 prescribed oral anticoagulant that provides important benefits to patients and the health care system.”

Offered through the partnership’s Eliquis 360 Support program, the anticoagulant therapy is discounted for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Focused on simplicity and transparency in drug dispensing, this new offering was designed to increase access and decrease patients’ out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses.

The BMS-Pfizer program will launch on September 8 for eligible US patients with an Eliquis prescription. | image credit: Felix Geringswald / stock.adobe.com

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Although the new program is centered around only 1 specific formula of an anticoagulant therapy, the medication class is a significant one. Every year in the US, around 900,000 patients experience blood clots that result in up to 100,000 deaths. The first line of defense for preventing blood clots, according to AARP, is either antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies.²

Apixaban was first approved in 2012 for patients with atrial fibrillation to reduce blood clots and risk of stroke.³ Since then, its use among US patients has increased significantly. From 2018 to 2022, for example, Medicare Part D spending on apixaban per beneficiary increased 43%, with patients’ average annual OOP cost increasing by 23%.⁴

“Beginning September 8, eligible US patients with an [apixaban] prescription may purchase the medicine directly through Eliquis 360 Support and will pay a discounted rate of more than 40% less than the current list price,” wrote authors of the release.¹ “The program will provide direct shipping to patients across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, offering an additional, simplified option for accessing [apixaban] and full transparency into the associated costs.”

Eliquis 360 Support is an around-the-clock resource for helping patients understand their atrial fibrillation and apixaban regimens. In addition to providing patients with actual OOP savings and transparency regarding the pricing of apixaban, the program is also available for any patient seeking general advice or guidance on their conditions.

“Eliquis 360 Support is here to help you understand your prescription insurance coverage and help those with an [apixaban] prescription learn about potential ways to save on out-of-pocket costs,” states the Eliquis 360 Support website.⁵

Throughout apixaban's time on the prescription drug market, it has amassed an estimated $3 billion in health care savings for every 100,000 patients treated, as over 15 million Americans have received an apixaban prescription. Now, with the introduction of Eliquis 360 Support, patients will have a grasp of their prescription drug costs like never before.

However, some experts believe initiatives such as the Eliquis 360 Support program enable pharmaceutical companies to avoid the true cause of increasing drug costs.

“We call this ‘having your cake and eating it too,’” said Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46brooklyn Research and president of 3 Axis Advisors, in a LinkedIn post. “[It's] another niche program that can provide good relief to those who need it but avoids the root cause of bloated drug list prices, which necessitate the existence of the program in the first place. Regardless of its potential usefulness, the fact that this is even a thing is the indicator that the architecture of our system is absurd, overly complex, and misaligned with the interests of patients—all so we can maintain our overarching addiction to bloated discounts off bloated prices.”

Regardless of the overarching implications this new program could have, it is providing future relief to a prominent patient population that needs drugs such as apixaban.

“This program passes more savings directly to patients and demonstrates our continued focus on identifying innovative solutions that foster the best outcomes for each individual while prioritizing access to care,” concluded Boerner.¹

READ MORE: The Current Drivers in Medication Use, Spending

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References

1. Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer announce direct-to-patient Eliquis (apixaban) option. News release. Bristol Myers Squibb. July 17, 2025. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://news.bms.com/news/details/2025/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-and-Pfizer-Announce-Direct-to-Patient-Eliquis-apixaban-Option/default.aspx

2. Szabo L. What you need to know about blood thinners. AARP. November 15, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/blood-thinners/

3. Agrawal A, Manna B. Apixaban. StatPearls Publishing; 2025-. Updated February 22, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507910/

4. Eliquis: Medicare enrollee use and spending. Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. October 30, 2023. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/d1e51e1f27136349e9a48677d14c5198/Eliquis.pdf

5. Eliquis 360 support. Bristol Myers Squibb Company. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.eliquis.bmscustomerconnect.com/support