CVS Caremark Hep C CareTeam encourages medication adherence, improves health outcomes and manages total costs for hepatitis C patients

WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) announced today that it is enhancing its hepatitis C patient support program following the recent FDA approval of two new add-on therapies for hepatitis C.  While the new therapies offer improved response rates and a shorter treatment regimen for patients, they still result in uncomfortable and challenging side effects.  The dedicated Hep C CareTeam educates patients about their disease and treatment regimen and supports them throughout therapy. The Team also researches and manages the benefits verification process, ensures on-time delivery of the medication, coordinates injection training for new patients and communicates proactively with the patient's physician.

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Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne viral infection in the United States.  Current estimates suggest that approximately 3.2 million Americans may be infected with the virus, many of whom are unaware they have the disease because they do not experience any symptoms. Traditional therapies for the disease have low response rates and often have significant side effects (primarily flu-like symptoms) that cause the patient to feel worse during therapy and may contribute to non-adherence. In fact, only about 25 percent of patients who initiate therapy complete the full treatment regimen.  

"As the treatment landscape for hepatitis C changes with the addition of two new therapies, we see an even greater need to provide patients with support to help them manage their medications and stay adherent," said Scott Reid, senior vice president, CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy Operations. "Our CareTeam approach connects patients with a dedicated team, including a nurse and specially trained pharmacists that are available to provide support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

The CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy Hep C CareTeam is comprised of nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy service representatives. These professionals are focused on the treatment of hepatitis C and undergo extensive, proprietary training and education related to the disease and available therapies. The Hep C CareTeam reinforces the physician's instructions to make sure the patient safely and effectively administers their prescribed medication and proactively communicates with the physician as needed to address any treatment related issues or complications that may arise.  

About CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States with integrated offerings across the entire spectrum of pharmacy care. We are uniquely positioned to engage plan members in behaviors that improve their health and to lower overall health care costs for health plans, plan sponsors and their members. CVS Caremark is a market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics, and is a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As one of the country's largest pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), we provide access to a network of approximately 65,000 pharmacies, including more than 7,200 CVS/pharmacy® stores that provide unparalleled service and capabilities. Our clinical offerings include our signature Pharmacy Advisor™ program as well as innovative generic step therapy and genetic benefit management programs that promote more cost effective and healthier behaviors and improve health care outcomes. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company's website at http://info.cvscaremark.com/.

Media Contacts:
Christine K. Cramer
CVS Caremark
401-770-3317
ckcramer@cvs.com

SOURCE CVS Caremark

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