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CVS Specialty delivers enhanced patient experiences, studies show

November 5, 2025 |3 minute read time

Man looking on his phone and holding a prescription bottle

Key points

  • Three recent studies showcase how our CVS Specialty care models are uniquely positioned to meet patients’ needs.
  • Patients in a CVS Specialty pharmacist-managed program showed significantly higher medication adherence rates.
  • We’re meeting patients with rare diseases where they are —including in rural and underserved populations.
  • Patient-reported data helps us understand teduglutide therapy’s impact on lifestyle.

Tommy Jensen has pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive condition that requires strict medication adherence — missing even a few doses can quickly lead to serious deterioration in heart and lung function. PAH therapy can be complex and sometimes cumbersome, so understanding and consistently following the medication treatment plan is essential.

Tommy says support from his dedicated CVS Specialty CareTeam is important to his treatment journey. Regular check-ins with his CVS Specialty PAH nurse and 24/7 access to pharmacists specially trained in his condition and therapy is reassuring and supports his ability to stay on track with his medication.

“CVS is really good about being available,” he says.

Tommy’s experience reflects the kind of personalized care CVS Specialty delivers regularly for patients with rare and complex conditions.

Three recent studies showcase how our CVS Specialty care models are uniquely positioned to meet patients’ needs.
 

All CVS Specialty patients have access to dedicated, highly-trained CareTeams and therapy-specific support models. In addition, more than 500,000 specialty patients are supported by 35+ Centers of Excellence for rare and ultra-rare conditions.

We’re improving medication adherence


A recent study examined adherence among patients using inhaled Tyvaso (treprostinil) and found that those enrolled in CVS Specialty’s pharmacist-managed PAH program had 11.5% higher adherence rates. The proportion of days covered (PDC) was 87% vs. 78% in the control group.

The data underscores how CVS Specialty’s comprehensive, high-touch, pharmacist-led model helps patients stay on therapy longer and more consistently. Through regular medication therapy assessments and personalized support, patients are better equipped to manage their condition and avoid complications.

We deliver equitable access


Evidence from our Rare Disease Program study shows that CVS Specialty reaches patients where they are, including those in rural, diverse and underserved communities.

Of more than 7,600 CVS Specialty patients in the program, 44% lived in rural communities and 16% were from the most socially vulnerable populations, highlighting the reach and access our model offers, even in the face of the geographic and social barriers that often complicate rare disease care.

Notably, patients in the program were also deeply engaged, with nearly half completing five or more assessments and remaining enrolled for over 200 days.

“The research reflects our commitment to meeting patients where they are,” says Ashley Czonstkowsky, Vice President of Coram & CVS Specialty Therapy Operations. “It’s worth pointing out that our reach matters not only to patients, but also to payors, providers, manufacturers, and advocacy groups who rely on scalable, equitable solutions to improve care delivery.”

Data and analytics illustrate impact on quality of life


Coram CVS Specialty Infusion Services conducted a retrospective three-year quality assurance review analyzing 2,500+ dietitian-led patient interviews, giving us valuable insight on how therapy can impact a patient’s quality of life.

The patients in this study have short bowel syndrome and were taking the drug teduglutide, to reduce or eliminate their dependence on nutritional and hydration therapies — which can be both costly and confining for patients.

“While teduglutide’s clinical impact is well-documented, it doesn’t tell the whole story,” says Sarah Carter, one of the CVS Specialty registered dietitians who led the review. “Patient-reported experiences — such as feeling stronger, gaining weight or being able to travel — can reveal how the therapy affects daily life, independence and emotional well-being. It can demonstrate the broader value of these therapies.”

Most patients reported a response to therapy within the first two months, an insight especially valuable for CareTeams to set expectations, monitor progress and support patients through the early stages of treatment.

By leveraging platforms like Coram’s electronic medical records systems, our teams can track patient progress, dentify trends and personalize support. This capability allows us to better understand patient needs and deliver care that goes far beyond the prescription.

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