CVS Health Chief Medical Officer to Address National Business Group on Health on Value of Pharmacy Care in Evolving Health Care System

Following landmark decision to end tobacco sales, CVS Health directs new focus to improving medication adherence

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Mar 06, 2015, 08:30 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), will speak before the National Business Group on Health in Washington, D.C. today. Brennan will outline ways pharmacy care can play a critical role in addressing health care cost and quality as the overall health care system faces increased stress. After making CVS/pharmacy the first national pharmacy chain to stop selling tobacco in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers, CVS Health is moving aggressively to provide innovative new tools that can assist patients, providers and health plans improve medication adherence and ultimately improve health.

"Medication non-adherence can have a significant impact on patients' health outcomes and it costs the nation's health care system nearly $300 billion every year," Brennan said. "Sadly, one of the most significant challenges is patients often don't take their medications. They forget or they're confused, or they fail to understand why they should be taking them."

Brennan will highlight CVS Health's unique Pharmacy Advisor program designed to connect pharmacists, health care providers and health plans to deliver better care and value by stressing the importance of adherence to prescribed medications. He will also highlight innovations that are continuing to expand CVS Health's adherence program offerings, including packaging designed to help patients manage multiple medications and digital tools like texting and messaging patients about their medications.

"We can improve adherence and reduce gaps in care by connecting and integrating our interactions with patients, taking advantage of our ability to counsel patients at convenient touch points," Brennan said.

In his remarks, Brennan will also discuss how CVS Health is working to meet the needs of an evolving health care system. He will observe trends in health care costs and strategies to manage costs, Medicare and state health care budgets, employer-provided insurance and new modes of care delivery. He will examine how the post-recession climate and implementation of the Affordable Care Act are changing health care.

Brennan will also describe the critical role CVS/minuteclinic plays in the transforming health care system by providing accessible, quality, low-cost care. Through its clinics, CVS/minuteclinic can help patients with acute ailments or monitor chronic care for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, working directly with primary care doctors as part of the patient-centered medical home using electronic medical records.

"Connecting consumers into the health care system is our unique capability," Brennan has said. "Our MinuteClinics represent one way in which we can effectuate connectivity and integration in the health care system."

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through our 7,800 retail pharmacies, 900 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 65 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, we enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

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Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications
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SOURCE CVS Health