FLORIDA-BASED NON-PROFIT IS AMONG FIVE ORGANIZATIONS TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FROM THE PHARMACY BENEFIT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Miami, FL – May 28, 2021 – Abarca, a pharmacy benefit manager that is disrupting the industry with an entirely new approach to technology and business practices, announced the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) as one of the 2021 winners of its Better Care Community Program. Now in its second year, this philanthropic initiative provides health-related charities in Puerto Rico and Florida with financial and volunteer support.
Abarca will provide DRIF with a financial grant to continue support for the Poseidon Clinical Trial, which is testing the impact of two common supplements on stopping or delaying the progression of diabetes. This is the first Florida-based organization to be selected by the Better Care Community Program.
“The Better Care Community Program was created to support organizations that are working to change and improve the healthcare experience for the people they serve,” said Adriana Ramirez, Abarca’s Chief Operating Officer. “The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation embodies that mission—and is running an innovative clinical trial that could impact our understanding of diabetes nationwide.”
Tony Perez, Clinical Pharmacist for Abarca and University of Miami alumnus, was one of the many Abarcans that recommended DRIF as one of the Better Care Community Program recipients. The recommendation was based on the prevalence of diabetes, his knowledge of the organization, and DRIF’s impact on finding a cure and supporting fellow community members who have been diagnosed with this disease.
“As a native Floridian and a fourth-generation diabetic, I am honored that Abarca has selected the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation as their first Florida-based non-profit recipient,” said Sean Kramer, Chief Executive Officer for DRIF. “Through the Better Care Community Program, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation benefits not only from monetary support of one of our most critical clinical trials but also by creating a partnership between our respective employees, which furthers awareness and outreach of our vision of a world without diabetes.”
DRIF was established to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to find a cure for diabetes. Recognized as one of the world’s most respected diabetes organizations, DRIF has grown into an international coalition of business leaders, celebrities, scientists, clinicians, families, and other concerned individuals who have elevated the importance of cure-focused research and provided meaningful support for the Institute’s multidisciplinary research program.
Other selected organizations include the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, the Community Organization of MS and Cancer (COMSC), Hogar Infantíl Jesús Nazareno, and Ciencia Puerto Rico.
“This year’s winners are each taking a unique approach to improving the lives of the people they touch, and we’re looking forward to helping them make a difference,” concluded Ramírez. “The Better Care Community Program allows us and our employees to support organizations that also believe better is possible for our communities.”
The Better Care Community Program winners will receive grants and virtual volunteering support from Abarcans, with the in-person backing to be evaluated based on COVID-19 guidelines. For more information, visit www.abarcahealth.com.
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About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine leads the world in cure-focused research. As one of the largest and most comprehensive research centers dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI aggressively develops a biological cure by restoring natural insulin production and normalizing blood sugar levels without imposing other risks. Researchers have already shown that transplanted islet cells allow patients to live without the need for insulin therapy. Some study participants have maintained insulin independence for more than 10 years. The DRI is now building upon these promising outcomes through its BioHub strategy, a multidisciplinary, three-pronged approach for addressing the major challenges that stand in the way of a cure: eliminate the need for anti-rejection drugs, reset the immune system to block autoimmunity, and develop an unlimited supply of insulin-producing cells. For more information, please visit DiabetesResearch.org or call 800-321-3437.
About Abarca
Abarca is igniting a revolution in healthcare. It started by redefining pharmacy benefits, but this is just the beginning. It is built on the belief that there is a better way for people and companies to work together, connect with each other, and make healthcare awesome for everyone. With smarter technology and a straightforward approach to business, Abarca provides a much better experience and higher value for payers and consumers. For nearly a decade, they have challenged many industry conventions and trampled on a few. So, call them a PBM for discussion purposes, but they are unlike any other company out there. Join the revolution at abarcahealth.com/.