Content about CVS Caremark

February 28, 2011
CVS/pharmacy kicks off 2011 To Your Health program

CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

The program will get under way in Houston on March 5, and continue in Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

February 25, 2011
Basically, it's a warning to vendors

As Walgreens pays tribute to its store brand via hard-hitting ads that position its health-and-wellness products as the ones that its pharmacists recommend, CVS/pharmacy officially has unveiled its new Just the Basics private-label line — both developments that should serve as warning signs to vendors.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As Walgreens pays tribute to its store brand via hard-hitting ads that position its health-and-wellness products as the ones that its pharmacists recommend, CVS/pharmacy officially has unveiled its new Just the Basics private-label line — both developments that should serve as warning signs to vendors.

(THE NEWS: CVS/pharmacy's Just the Basics line makes debut. For the full story, click here)

February 23, 2011
CVS/pharmacy supports UNCF's initiatives

CVS/pharmacy and the United Negro College Fund, a minority education organization, are teaming up to celebrate Black History Month and promote education in the retailer's stores nationwide.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and the United Negro College Fund, a minority education organization, are teaming up to celebrate Black History Month and promote education in the retailer's stores nationwide.

February 23, 2011
CVS/pharmacy's Just the Basics line makes debut

As expected, CVS/pharmacy officially has introduced a new line of store-brand products called Just the Basics, which is comprised of household essentials. As previously reported by Drug Store News, the retailer unveiled plans to launch the new line during its 2010 analyst day in October.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As expected, CVS/pharmacy officially has introduced a new line of store-brand products called Just the Basics, which is comprised of household essentials. As previously reported by Drug Store News, the retailer unveiled plans to launch the new line during its 2010 analyst day in October.

The new product line, exclusively available at CVS/pharmacy, is comprised of nearly 100 items, and there are plans to expand the line going forward.

February 18, 2011
CVS Caremark saluted for Pharmacy Advisor program

CVS Caremark announced on Friday that the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute awarded the company and its PBM client, ArcelorMittal, the 2011 Rx Benefit Innovation Award. The award recognizes the Pharmacy Advisor program, which was developed by CVS Caremark to manage costs, improve medication adherence and close gaps in care for members with diabetes.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Friday that the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute awarded the company and its PBM client, ArcelorMittal, the 2011 Rx Benefit Innovation Award. The award recognizes the Pharmacy Advisor program, which was developed by CVS Caremark to manage costs, improve medication adherence and close gaps in care for members with diabetes.

February 18, 2011
CVS flexes healthcare muscles

The news that CVS Caremark's Pharmacy Advisor program has been recognized by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute is yet one more illustration of how the company has positioned itself along the front lines to leverage its various points of care to improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that CVS Caremark's Pharmacy Advisor program has been recognized by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute is yet one more illustration of how the company has positioned itself along the front lines to leverage its various points of care to improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

(THE NEWS: CVS Caremark saluted for Pharmacy Advisor program. For the full story, click here)

February 18, 2011
NewsBytes on WAG's Rx purchasing team, WMT's Duncan Mac Naughton, CVS Q4 results and more

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens this month rounded out the pharmacy purchasing team led by Jeff Berkowitz, who joined the company in the fall as SVP pharmaceutical development and market access.


February 7, 2011
At NACDS conference, Merlo and Anderson note pharmacy victories

Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

NAPLES, Fla. — Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

Speaking at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference, NACDS board chairman and CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo said that scientific research has further demonstrated how care and services provided by pharmacists and pharmacies have improved health outcomes of patients and cut costs for the healthcare system.

February 4, 2011
Merlo shows why he's boss

A new chapter officially is under way for CVS Caremark, and it comes as little surprise that the Larry Merlo era has begun with a reminder of the core principles that put him in the captain's seat to begin with — flawless execution, cross-functional thinking and management, and enhancing value.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A new chapter officially is under way for CVS Caremark, and it comes as little surprise that the Larry Merlo era has begun with a reminder of the core principles that put him in the captain's seat to begin with — flawless execution, cross-functional thinking and management, and enhancing value.

(THE NEWS: Merlo puts stamp on his leadership in fourth-quarter earnings call. For the full story, click here)

February 3, 2011
CVS' Q4 driven by same-store sales, Maintenance Choice

CVS Caremark announced on Thursday an increase in fourth-quarter same-store sales and a boost in retail pharmacy revenues as pharmacy comparable-store sales benefited from the Maintenance Choice program.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Thursday an increase in fourth-quarter same-store sales and a boost in retail pharmacy revenues as pharmacy comparable-store sales benefited from the Maintenance Choice program.

"I'm pleased with our earnings this quarter, which were in line with our expectations. Our retail business continued to produce industry-leading same-store sales and achieved an all-time record operating margin," stated Larry Merlo, who currently serves as president and COO and will be taking the reins as CEO in March.

February 3, 2011
Merlo puts stamp on his leadership in fourth-quarter earnings call

What will define success for CVS Caremark in the years ahead? If you ask incoming CEO Larry Merlo, it all comes down to three things: flawless execution, cross-functional thinking and management, and enhancing value. Not coincidentally, those are three key reasons Merlo inherited the top spot at the company.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — What will define success for CVS Caremark in the years ahead? If you ask incoming CEO Larry Merlo, it all comes down to three things: flawless execution, cross-functional thinking and management, and enhancing value. Not coincidentally, those are three key reasons Merlo inherited the top spot at the company.

February 1, 2011
CVS study: Adherence shrinks health costs

Pharmacy and health policy advocates endlessly tout the cost-saving 
benefits of improved medication adherence. In January, CVS Caremark put more teeth into that argument with some dramatic new findings that should get the attention of every health plan payer.


February 1, 2011
CVS' Foulkes named vice chairwoman of R.I.'s EDC board

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee last week appointed Helena Foulkes, EVP and chief marketing officer for CVS Caremark, to the R.I. Economic Development Corp. board of directors, according to published reports.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee last week appointed Helena Foulkes, EVP and chief marketing officer for CVS Caremark, to the R.I. Economic Development Corp. board of directors, according to published reports.

Foulkes will serve as vice chairwoman of the EDC board. She is the first female to serve in this capacity.

February 1, 2011
NewsBytes on CVS’ Merlo, Walmart health efforts, Michel now at Sears and more

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The next chapter for CVS Caremark officially is under way. The company last month officially named Larry Merlo CEO, effective March 1. Tom Ryan will remain nonexecutive chairman until his retirement in May. Prior to the news, Merlo had been president and COO.

January 31, 2011
NACDS gears up for 2011 Regional Chain Conference

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores will host in February its annual Regional Chain Conference, designed to bring together retail pharmacy chain executives with product manufacturers and suppliers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores will host in February its annual Regional Chain Conference, designed to bring together retail pharmacy chain executives with product manufacturers and suppliers.

This year's conference will be held Feb. 6 to 8 at the Ritz-Carlton Naples in Naples, Fla.

The conference programming will include remarks from various executives, including NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson, and NACDS chairman and CVS Caremark president Larry Merlo, among others.

January 28, 2011
Merlo's talent will help CVS grow

The news that Larry Merlo is taking the helm at CVS Caremark was expected, but that doesn't take away from its significance.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that Larry Merlo is taking the helm at CVS Caremark was expected, but that doesn't take away from its significance.

(THE NEWS: Merlo to assume CEO role at CVS Caremark. For the full story, click here)

Since beginning his career in chain pharmacy in 1978 with People's Drug (which CVS acquired in 1990), Merlo has become an operations guru who wrote the book on successfully integrating acquisitions.

January 24, 2011
Merlo to assume CEO role at CVS Caremark

The next chapter for CVS Caremark officially is under way as the company announced on Monday the next stage of its previously announced transition plan and officially named Larry Merlo, president and COO, as CEO, effective March. 1.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The next chapter for CVS Caremark officially is under way as the company announced on Monday the next stage of its previously announced transition plan and officially named Larry Merlo, president and COO, as CEO, effective March. 1.

Tom Ryan, chairman, president and CEO, will remain nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in May.

January 21, 2011
CVS' interim picks leave chain well-positioned for future

After weeks of waiting to see how CVS Caremark would respond to Walmart's successful bid to block the Hank Mullany hire, the company handed the keys to its retail stores to one of the most prolific merchants in drug store retailing and the man who has led its massive real estate machine.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — After weeks of waiting to see how CVS Caremark would respond to Walmart's successful bid to block the Hank Mullany hire, the company handed the keys to its retail stores to one of the most prolific merchants in drug store retailing and the man who has led its massive real estate machine.

(THE NEWS: CVS' Bloom, Baker to lead chain's retail business on interim basis. For the full story, click here)

January 19, 2011
Patients split on filling 90-day Rx's at retail or through mail-order

When consumers are offered a cost-neutral choice to fill their 90-day prescription medications in a retail store or through a mail-order pharmacy, they tend to split their preferences, largely depending on their past experiences, according to the findings of a first-of-its-kind study from CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — When consumers are offered a cost-neutral choice to fill their 90-day prescription medications in a retail store or through a mail-order pharmacy, they tend to split their preferences, largely depending on their past experiences, according to the findings of a first-of-its-kind study from CVS Caremark.

January 18, 2011
CVS' Bloom, Baker to lead chain's retail business on interim basis

CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

Bloom and Baker, who will report to Larry Merlo, president and COO of CVS Caremark, are assuming these duties on an interim basis, pending the completion of the company's search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy.

January 12, 2011
Acute visits climb as MinuteClinic preps for rapid growth phase

CVS Caremark's retail-based clinic operator, MinuteClinic, is experiencing exponential gains in utilization and posted a 22% increase in acute visits during the past year, Larry Merlo, CVS Caremark president and COO, told investors Wednesday during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's retail-based clinic operator, MinuteClinic, is experiencing exponential gains in utilization and posted a 22% increase in acute visits during the past year, Larry Merlo, CVS Caremark president and COO, told investors Wednesday during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

January 11, 2011
CVS increases quarterly dividend by nearly 43%

Marking its eighth consecutive year of dividend increases, CVS Caremark on Tuesday said its board of directors approved a near 43% increase of its quarterly dividend to 12.5 cents per share of common stock.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Marking its eighth consecutive year of dividend increases, CVS Caremark on Tuesday said its board of directors approved a near 43% increase of its quarterly dividend to 12.5 cents per share of common stock.

The dividend is payable Feb. 2 to holders of record on Jan. 21.

At its Analyst Day in October 2010, the company announced that it set a targeted dividend payout ratio of approximately 25% to 30% by 2015, which implied a compounded dividend growth rate of nearly 25% per year.

January 11, 2011
Older physicians less likely to prescribe generic medications

While a majority of physicians are comfortable with generic medications, there is a small segment who still have negative perceptions about the effectiveness and quality of generic drugs, and that may lead to doctors prescribing unnecessarily expensive medications, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — While a majority of physicians are comfortable with generic medications, there is a small segment who still have negative perceptions about the effectiveness and quality of generic drugs, and that may lead to doctors prescribing unnecessarily expensive medications, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

January 10, 2011
'Pharmacy home' can help organize medication management

The healthcare system needs to find ways to help patients with such complex therapies as chronic heart disease to simplify and centralize their medication management and create a "pharmacy home" to improve medication adherence, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The healthcare system needs to find ways to help patients with such complex therapies as chronic heart disease to simplify and centralize their medication management and create a "pharmacy home" to improve medication adherence, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

January 7, 2011
Boomer birthdays, Universal American acquisition put CVS at top of Medicare Part D game

The news that CVS Caremark has entered an agreement to acquire the Medicare Part D business of Universal American is important on several fronts: Not only will the deal more than double the size of CVS Caremark's Medicare Part D program, but the move also comes just as the first baby boomers turn 65.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that CVS Caremark has entered an agreement to acquire the Medicare Part D business of Universal American is important on several fronts: Not only will the deal more than double the size of CVS Caremark's Medicare Part D program, but the move also comes just as the first baby boomers turn 65.

(THE NEWS: CVS Caremark acquires Universal American. For the full story, click here)