CVS 2004 Annual Report

	2004 Annual Report


	2:00am 7:00am 9:00am3:00pm6:00pm 10:00pm


	Another PharmaCare Rx gets filled.
	CVS may be the leading U.S. pharmacy chain by store count, but we're more than just a retailer. Over the past 11 years, we've built our PharmaCare subsidiary into one of the country's most comprehensive pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). With the acquisition of Eckerd Health Services (EHS) in 2004, we've taken PharmaCare—and our entire business—to the next level. We're the nation's fourth-largest full-service PBM, and we have doubled our number of covered lives to 30 million since last year. We've also combined our strength in specialty pharmacy with the EHS mail order pharmacy business whose sales exceed $1 billion annually. As a result, CVS can now provide an unmatched total solution to meet the specific service and cost-containment needs of major payors. With our combined retail and mail order presence, we can offer unique plan designs that provide high-quality, cost-effective care. For example, we can fill 30-day prescriptions at retail, 90-day prescriptions at retail, or 90-day prescriptions by mail order. Patients with unique or complex medical needs have the choice of getting their specialty pharmaceuticals by mail or at one of our 47 PharmaCare Pharmacy® locations. That's a new option for former EHS customers and one that represents a valuable addition to its service offerings. Complementing PharmaCare's traditional focus on small to medium-sized employers, EHS customers tend to be Fortune 500™ companies. So, when it comes time for payors of all sizes to review their PBM contracts, PharmaCare is now more often at the table.
		Through our stores and mail order pharmacy facilities like this one, CVS is uniquely positioned to offer payors flexible solutions to help control costs.