Content about Larry Merlo

May 13, 2011
Merlo will continue legacy left behind by Ryan

As reported, CVS Caremark's annual meeting of stockholders was of special importance as it marked the beginning of a new chapter for both CVS Caremark and its former chairman and CEO Tom Ryan, who officially retired from the company after more than 30 years of service.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As reported, CVS Caremark's annual meeting of stockholders was of special importance as it marked the beginning of a new chapter for both CVS Caremark and its former chairman and CEO Tom Ryan, who officially retired from the company after more than 30 years of service.

(THE NEWS: CVS' Merlo outlines factors for future growth. For the full story, click here)

May 11, 2011
CVS' Merlo outlines factors for future growth

CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

May 10, 2011
CVS Caremark releases 2010 corporate social responsibility report

CVS Caremark announced on Tuesday the release of its 2010 corporate social responsibility report, which provides an overview of the company's commitments to environmental stewardship, improving patient health outcomes and positively impacting people's lives through its social investments.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Tuesday the release of its 2010 corporate social responsibility report, which provides an overview of the company's commitments to environmental stewardship, improving patient health outcomes and positively impacting people's lives through its social investments.

The report, titled "Innovation, Leadership, Commitment," marks the company's fourth annual CSR report, which is available online at Info.cvscaremark.com/CSR.

May 6, 2011
Hats off to Ryan, Sammons

Neither one of the co-recipients of this year’s Fantle Award would want you to call it the end of an era. They would both tell you that’s an overstatement.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Neither one of the co-recipients of this year’s Fantle Award would want you to call it the end of an era. They would both tell you that’s an overstatement.

(THE NEWS: NACDS honors Tom Ryan, Mary Sammons with lifetime achievement awards. For the full story, click here)

May 6, 2011
Merlo lets everyone know why PBM isn't going anywhere

With all the talk among the investment community and press about what CVS Caremark should do with its PBM business, it really comes as little surprise that president and CEO Larry Merlo hit the topic head on during Thursday's first-quarter conference call — insisting that there are no plans to split the company.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With all the talk among the investment community and press about what CVS Caremark should do with its PBM business, it really comes as little surprise that president and CEO Larry Merlo hit the topic head on during Thursday's first-quarter conference call — insisting that there are no plans to split the company.

(THE NEWS: CVS off to ‘good start,’ Merlo says; company committed to PBM biz. For the full story, click here)

May 5, 2011
CVS off to ‘good start,’ Merlo says; company committed to PBM biz

CVS Caremark is “off to a good start” in 2011 as first-quarter results registered slightly above guidance for both the retail and PBM businesses, and the retail segment continues to gain share. But what president and CEO Larry Merlo wanted to clarify straight away during Thursday morning’s conference was the company’s commitment to its PBM division, and he outlined its plan to further improve PBM performance.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is “off to a good start” in 2011 as first-quarter results registered slightly above guidance for both the retail and PBM businesses, and the retail segment continues to gain share. But what president and CEO Larry Merlo wanted to clarify straight away during Thursday morning’s conference was the company’s commitment to its PBM division, and he outlined its plan to further improve PBM performance.

May 2, 2011
NACDS elects new 2011-2012 officers at Annual Meeting

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that Robert Loeffler will succeed Larry Merlo as the organization's new board of directors chairman, and also announced the appointment of several other elected officers, at its 2011 Annual Meeting.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that Robert Loeffler will succeed Larry Merlo as the organization's new board of directors chairman, and also announced the appointment of several other elected officers, at its 2011 Annual Meeting.

Loeffler, who serves as H-E-B's chief administrative officer, will replace Merlo, who is CVS Caremark president and CEO, as NACDS board chairman. Additionally, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson was elected vice chairman, while Thrifty White president and CEO Robert Narveson was named treasurer.

May 1, 2011
Merlo: ‘We get things done’ at Annual Meeting

Things get done at Annual Meeting. That was the key message National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Larry Merlo had for members attending Sunday morning’s business session. That’s because the right people come to Annual — people that have the authority necessary not only to make a commitment but also, and more importantly, the authority to deliver on that commitment.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Things get done at Annual Meeting. That was the key message National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Larry Merlo had for members attending Sunday morning’s business session. That’s because the right people come to Annual — people that have the authority necessary not only to make a commitment but also, and more importantly, the authority to deliver on that commitment.

April 25, 2011
CVS aims for growth behind new leader

With a new leader at the helm, a robust management team in place and an unwavering focus on driving medication adherence and reducing healthcare costs, CVS Caremark remains squarely on the growth path and continues to play an increasingly important role in U.S. health care with its far-reaching store network and arsenal of products and services.


March 1, 2011
Merlo officially takes helm at CVS

As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark. Merlo, who now serves as president and CEO, succeeds Tom Ryan, who remains nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company's annual meeting of shareholders in May.

Upon Ryan's retirement as chairman in May, the company intends to elect CVS Caremark board member David Dorman as the next nonexecutive chairman at the 2011 annual meeting. Dorman has been on the CVS Caremark board of directors since 2006.

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 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
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 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 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 14, 2011
'Time is right' for convenient care industry growth

Larry Merlo’s comments during the recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on the upswing in acute visits at MinuteClinic is important because it speaks to the fact that 2011 is the beginning of the second wave of clinic expansion.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Larry Merlo’s comments during the recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on the upswing in acute visits at MinuteClinic is important because it speaks to the fact that 2011 is the beginning of the second wave of clinic expansion.

(THE NEWS: Acute visits climb as MinuteClinic preps for rapid growth. For the full story, click here)

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 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.

December 3, 2010
CVS/pharmacy moves ahead with succession plan, Hank Mullany named president

CVS Caremark announced on Friday that former Walmart North executive Hank Mullany will succeed Larry Merlo as president of CVS/pharmacy. The move is part of the corporate succession plan announced last May in which Tom Ryan will retire as CEO prior to the next annual meeting and Merlo will step up as CEO.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Friday that former Walmart North executive Hank Mullany will succeed Larry Merlo as president of CVS/pharmacy. The move is part of the corporate succession plan announced last May in which Tom Ryan will retire as CEO prior to the next annual meeting and Merlo will step up as CEO.

October 10, 2010
NACDS conference eyes impact of health reform

If the retail industry’s premier pharmacy gathering gave any clear signal about the state of...

October 7, 2010
At his last analyst day, Ryan sets out course for future CVS Caremark

The theme of CVS Caremark’s 2010 analyst meeting held Friday morning here in New York...

September 30, 2010
CVS Caremark salutes pharmacists

October is American Pharmacists Month, and CVS Caremark has announced that it is recognizing its...

September 26, 2010
NACDS Pharmacy & Tech Conference offers manifesto of pharmacy’s value

If ever there was a time for retail pharmacists to assert their role and ride...