Content about Rhode Island

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has aggressively set its sights on enhancing medication adherence, and the initiatives are paying off as the company estimates that its PBM clients saved nearly $2.4 billion in 2011 because of improved medication adherence for chronic conditions, according to findings of its annual Insights Report.

The report, released on Wednesday, reviews drug trend and highlights key issues in pharmacy care. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — It was a rainy Thursday morning in Woonsocket, R.I., but that didn’t dissuade CVS Caremark stockholders from flocking to the company’s sprawling headquarters to attend its annual meeting of stockholders — an event that proved to be one filled with optimism as president and CEO Larry Merlo provided key highlights of 2011 and discussed how the company is reinventing pharmacy and capitalizing on its “integration sweet spots.”

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic announced on Thursday the debut of two walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores located in San Antonio.

The retail clinic operator, which opened its doors in the Lone Star state in 2006, now operates 45 clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio markets. In addition to the two clinics, a third is slated to open later this year.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Wednesday that it is supporting Million Hearts during National High Blood Pressure Education Month in May through a number of patient-focused initiatives.

Launched by the Department of Health and Human Services and led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States over the next five years.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy took center stage on the latest episode of "The Doctors," as one of the chain's pharmacists sat down with one of the show's co-hosts to discuss how patients can manage diabetes on a budget.

Speaking with emergency room physician Dr. Travis Stork, CVS pharmacist Usheema Thomas told an audience member that recently was diagnosed with diabetes how to manage her condition by using a blood-glucose monitoring system. Thomas also discussed CVS/pharmacy's free ExtraCare for Diabetes program and the benefits of enrolling into the program.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has announced that this spring it is offering a free monitoring visit for patients with diabetes to help keep their health in check between visits to a primary care provider.

The complimentary monitoring service, which is available seven days a week, is administered by a MinuteClinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant and includes:

• Hemoglobin A1C and blood-glucose test (as needed);

• Blood pressure check;

• Body mass index (BMI);

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Friday that it has been named as one of the most reputable companies in America by Reputation Institute, in partnership with Forbes Media.

The survey rankings are based on Reputation Institute's "2012 U.S. RepTrak Pulse," a study that measures the 150 largest U.S. public companies.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark outlined succession plans for its pharmacy benefit management business as EVP and COO Jon Roberts will assume the role of president of the PBM business, effective Sept. 1.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark issued on Tuesday two new reports that highlight research the company is conducting around medication adherence, including one study that reviews and compares state-by-state adherence rates for patients managing four chronic diseases.
 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With sign-ups for spring sporting events under way, adding physical exams to parents’ to-do lists, MinuteClinic is promoting its sport and camp physicals and is offering them for a discounted price through Sept. 30.

Through Sept. 30, MinuteClinic will offer sports and camp physicals at $49 — $10 off the standard price of $59. Coaches, athletic directors, and team and group leaders can help participants take advantage of an additional $5 discount for teams or groups of 12 or more that register online in advance.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced that its EVP and chief medical officer Troyen Brennan has been named to the National Commission on Physician Payment Reform, an independent commission that will assess how physicians are paid, and how pay incentives are linked to patient care.

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and NEW YORK  — Accordant Health Services, a CVS Caremark company, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research on Wednesday announced a collaboration to provide to patients with Parkinson's disease who are enrolled in Accordant-sponsored care management programs information about resources available through the foundation.