CVS Health Considers Spinning Off Retail Pharmacy Chain

CVS Health is considering a restructuring of its healthcare operations that would involve spinning off its retail pharmacy chain into a separately listed company. Under the plans currently being explored, the company would keep its insurance arm, Aetna, and its pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark, together under a single corporate entity.

This potential move marks a reversal of the company's long-term strategy to create an integrated healthcare system, a goal previously highlighted by its 78 billion dollar acquisition of Aetna in 2018. The discussions remain in the early stages, and the company has not reached a final decision.

The potential breakup comes as pharmacy benefit managers face increased political and regulatory scrutiny regarding their role in the United States drug supply chain.