WOONSOCKET, R.I., October 26, 2017 — In response to President Trump’s declaration of a public health emergency to help end the opioid epidemic, CVS Health President and CEO Larry Merlo, issued the following statement:
“By declaring a public health emergency, President Trump is taking the important step of engaging the leadership of the Federal government to address this crisis, which will have a meaningful impact on millions of Americans whose lives have been touched by this tragic epidemic. The opioid epidemic has no single cause and it doesn’t discriminate. It exists in our cities, in the suburbs and across rural America. Solving the opioid crisis will not be easy and it will certainly take the concerted effort of patients, physicians, insurers, pharmacies, advocacy organizations, elected officials and community leaders to determine the best path forward.”
In September, CVS Health announced an expansion of the company’s initiatives to fight the opioid abuse epidemic that leverage CVS Pharmacy’s presence in nearly 10,000 communities, and its 30,000 pharmacists as well as its PBM that manages medications for nearly 90 million plan members. The company announced it would enhance opioid utilization management to align with the CDC Guidelines, limiting to seven days the supply of opioids dispensed for certain acute prescriptions for patients who are new to therapy. CVS Pharmacy locations will also strengthen counseling for patients filling an opioid prescription for the first time. And, to make it easier to dispose of unused medications, CVS Health is expanding its drug disposal collection program to 1,550 units with the addition of kiosks at 750 retail pharmacies nationwide, adding to the 800 units we previously donated to law enforcement. CVS Health has also worked with 43 states to expand access to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.
About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and 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 https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Carolyn Castel
(401) 770-5717
Carolyn.Castel@CVSHealth.com