HARTFORD, Conn. — Merck and Aetna have entered into a value-based agreement for the type 2 diabetes medications Januvia and Janumet (sitagliptin plus metformin).

Aetna said Tuesday that under the pact, Merck’s rebates on Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitagliptin plus metformin) will be based in part on the drugs’ contributions to helping Aetna’s commercial member population with type 2 diabetes achieve or maintain treatment objectives.

“We believe that focusing on how physicians prescribe medications in real-world settings is a key element in determining the value of the treatment,” according to Harold Paz, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Aetna. “It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that patients receive appropriate medicines to help patients achieve their treatment goals.”

The companies noted that their objective is the same: to help adult patients with type 2 diabetes access appropriate treatment.

“Merck shares Aetna’s commitment to focusing on patients, and we are confident that the value-based agreement will help advance our common goal of helping patients with type 2 diabetes,” stated Robert McMahon, president of the U.S. market for global human health at Kenilworth, N.J.-based Merck.

In a separate initiative, Merck will also become the first health care company to participate in AetnaCare, a new personalized health and wellness care program that gives members the knowledge, tools and support to take a more active role in managing their own health.

AetnaCare uses predictive analytics to identify target populations and proactively curate various health and wellness services available to each member. Working with a patient’s physicians and other caregivers, the program is designed to support treatment adherence, ensure that critical social support needs are met, and reinforce healthy lifestyle behaviors.

“Merck is pleased to collaborate with Aetna on this unique patient-centered approach to care by sharing our adherence and educational resources to help support the health and wellness of AetnaCare members,” McMahon commented.

The AetnaCare program will initially target patients with diabetes and hypertension in Mid-Atlantic markets, Aetna said.

“Today, individuals receive care in a variety of ways, including retail clinics, health care devices, pharmaceutical services, behavioral health and social services, yet these services remain uncoordinated,” Paz explained. “Working with their physicians, AetnaCare not only integrates all these services into a coherent plan for members, it also curates care so patients don’t have to figure out for themselves how to get the treatment they need.”