Findings underscore need to improve health outcomes, increase access and
control costs
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CVS Caremark (NYSE:
CVS) announced today the results of its 2009 Health IQ study which examined
consumer attitudes and behaviors around health care and prescription usage.
Among its findings, the study underscores the need for expanded health care
coverage along with cost savings realized by improving health care delivery.
Of all consumers surveyed, 13% reported that they were not covered by a
prescription drug health insurance plan. Those under the age of 65 and those
with a household income of less than $50,000 are less likely to be covered.
Additionally, 15% of caregivers are not covered. About 1 in 10 consumers
(12%) don't obtain yearly checkups, but the number jumps to 26% for those
without prescription drug coverage.
While many consumers consider prescription costs confusing, most (66%)
have not spoken to anyone in the past 12 months about how to save money on
their prescriptions and some (one-fourth) simply don't know who to ask. Among
the one-third who have sought advice, an equal proportion spoke to their
pharmacist or their doctor.
"Prescription drugs account for about ten percent of what we spend
annually on health care in the U.S.," said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., Executive
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "Health care reform
and expanded coverage should include prescription drug benefits because
prescription medications are one of the most effective ways to reduce overall
health care costs."
CVS Caremark has made improving medication adherence a top priority.
Through CVS Caremark's Proactive Pharmacy Care program, the Company is focused
on helping consumers understand the benefits of taking their medicine
consistently, and how they can reduce the cost.
CVS Caremark's 25,000 pharmacists and other health care professionals at
the Company's 6,900 retail stores, 57 specialty pharmacies and 500
MinuteClinics help to ensure that customers take their prescriptions, and
renew them, in a timely fashion. CVS Caremark pharmacists also inform
customers about generic drugs which are a low cost alternative to name-brand
drugs.
"When patients don't take the medications prescribed by their doctors, it
hurts their health and can cost an estimated $177 billion annually," said
Brennan. "Consumers can improve their health while reducing health care costs
simply by sticking to their prescription drug regimens," said Brennan.
Survey methodology
CVS Caremark commissioned a study in April of 2009 among consumers in
order to gain insight on behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding health
care in general and prescription usage. An internet based study was conducted
among 2,000 consumers who report taking at least one maintenance medication.
The study was conducted by Cooper Research, Inc, a health care research
company based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions in the nation. The
Company fills or manages more than 1 billion prescriptions annually. Through
its unmatched breadth of service offerings, CVS Caremark is transforming the
delivery of health care services in the U.S. The Company is uniquely
positioned to effectively manage costs and improve health care outcomes
through its more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores; its Caremark
Pharmacy Services division (pharmacy benefit management, mail order and
specialty pharmacy); its retail-based health clinic subsidiary, MinuteClinic;
and its online pharmacy, CVS.com. General information about CVS Caremark is
available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site, at
www.cvscaremark.com/investors, as well as through the press room section of
the Company's Web site, at www.cvscaremark.com/newsroom.
SOURCE CVS Caremark
CONTACT:
Carolyn Castel of CVS Caremark,
+1-401-770-5717,
ccastel@cvs.com;
or Kelly Kass of Weber Shandwick for CVS Caremark,
+1-617-520-7274,
kelly.kass@webershandwick.com
Web Site: http://www.cvscaremark.com
