While rare and ultrarare diseases affect a small percentage of the U.S. population – fewer than 200,000 for rare diseases, and sometimes less than 100 for an ultrarare condition – their impact is anything but small. These conditions often bring immense emotional, physical, and financial strain to patients and their families. With more than 10,000 diseases categorized as rare, treatment options remain limited: Only about 5% have available treatments, many of which are complex and costly.
Because these conditions are often highly individualized and complex, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Additionally, providers often lack the coordinated, multidisciplinary care and have limited access to the specialized tools, diagnostics, and treatments that these patients need.
CuraScript SD by Evernorth addresses these challenges through its specialized distribution services. As a dedicated rare disease partner, CuraScript SD helps ensure timely access to life-changing treatments.
Understanding the challenges of treating rare diseases
One of the most significant challenges for patients living with a rare disease is simply getting a diagnosis. This process is often delayed due to the complexity and unfamiliarity of rare diseases within the broader medical community. Even once a diagnosis is made, the journey can remain challenging, as patients face obstacles such as:
- Time sensitivity: With degenerative conditions like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), every minute counts toward preserving mobility and muscle density. Delays in therapy can mean missed milestones or irreversible progression.
- Advanced therapies: Many rare disease treatments, such as gene therapies, require precise handling, storage, and delivery protocols – often taking place at special facilities that may require extended patient travel.
- Complex delivery: Therapies aren’t simply delivered to a patient’s mailbox; the treatment must go to the right hospital or clinic, the correct doctor, on the exact floor, at a specific time – often within hours of an urgent request.
“The limited number of therapies available for rare and ultrarare conditions often require highly specialized handling, storage, and shipment protocols,” said Delia Zaldivar, director of the rare, cell and gene therapy program at CuraScript SD. “Our role is to serve as a reliable link between the manufacturers who make these life-changing therapies and the patients who depend on them. Through close collaboration with our partners, we make sure every product gets to where it needs to go – safely, accurately, and right on time.”
CuraScript SD helps providers get patients the medications they need
CuraScript SD takes a unique, “high-touch” approach to care and delivery that emphasizes relationships, concierge-level service, and personal commitment. Staff members stay in close coordination with manufacturers to enable a rapid response to any urgent orders, even outside standard cut-off times.
“Our focus is on getting life-changing rare disease therapies – many of which are exclusive to CuraScript SD – to patients,” said Jeremy Schmucker, vice president of sales and marketing at Curascript SD. “We work hand-in-hand with manufacturers to design customized delivery programs across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. These partnerships ensure that even the most complex therapies reach patients with precision, speed, and care.”
Fully aligned with manufacturer guidance, CuraScript SD gives each unique therapy the “white glove” treatment to ensure safe and fast delivery. From navigating rural deliveries with detailed instructions to coordinating with caregivers directly, CuraScript SD provides a level of service that goes beyond logistics.
Caring for those who care
“It’s personal for me,” said Chakia Taylor, customer service senior supervisor at CuraScript SD. “I’ve been a caregiver, and I know how overwhelming it can be. That’s why I want to do everything I can to make sure no parent feels alone or overlooked – especially those caring for children with rare diseases. They deserve the same care, urgency, and compassion I’d want for my own family.”
It’s this personal commitment that propels CuraScript SD to remain at the forefront of delivery and science. Team members bring both a deep bench of professional expertise and personal experience to their roles, fueling a sense of empathy and urgency that helps us care for those who care for others.
For CuraScript SD employees like Sharah Bolten-McFadden, her mission is simple: Get life-saving medication to patients fast.
“Having worked at a rare disease pharmaceutical manufacturer and now with CuraScript SD, I have the privilege to be in a position where I can help families navigate a new SMA diagnosis,” said Sharah. “Every order I touch, I treat like it’s my own child or family.”
