minimize 05.25.17 In May 2017, CVS Health Chief Executive Officer Larry Merlo was interviewed on NPR s Here and Now program. There, he offered his thoughts on health care reform, the role of the private sector in improving health care delivery and the nation s opioid abuse crisis. Promoting Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care Throughout the interview, Merlo stressed the importance of making health care more affordable and effective for all Americans, while enabling the private sector to advance market competition and innovation. Health care spending is increasing too fast: nearly $1 out of every $5 in the country goes toward health care, so clearly there are things that aren't working in our delivery system, he noted. Listen to the NPR interview featuring Larry Merlo. Merlo explained that this challenge requires addressing the three major variables that contribute to health care spending: quality, access and cost. Embracing Transformational Change, Purpose-Driven Values The discussion turned to the company s landmark 2014 decision to become the first national pharmacy retailer to stop selling tobacco products. As we were growing, particularly as a health care company, we saw the contradiction between delivering health care in the back of the store at the pharmacy, and at the same time selling tobacco products that are a leading cause of death, Merlo said. This resulted in new opportunities to partner with health plans, hospital systems, and other institutions that enabled the business to expand in ways that promote better health. CVS Health continues its commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives. In 2016, the company launched Be The First , a five-year, $50 million initiative to help deliver the first tobacco-free generation through education, tobacco-control advocacy and healthy behavior programming. Addressing the Opioid Crisis and Preventing Misuse and Abuse Merlo also emphasized CVS Health s concern about the opioid crisis in the U.S., noting that it is an epidemic that does not discriminate, and that it exists in our cities, in the suburbs, and across rural America. There is no single cause to the problem, Merlo noted, and no single remedy. The solution is going to require a multi-pronged effort involving many of the health care players whether it s pharmacy or physicians, the pharmaceutical industry, insurers and certainly the government, he said. Under Merlo s leadership, CVS Health is deeply committed to being part of this solution, and has developed a number of programs designed to prevent and deter opioid abuse, including: Prevention through education: our Pharmacists Teach program educates youth on the dangers of opioid abuse Collection and safe disposal of unused prescriptions through the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program Partnering with states to increase access to the life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone, most recently announcing Naloxone s availability without a prescription in all Arizona CVS Pharmacy locations Merlo described the tools CVS Health pharmacists use to monitor safe prescription use . These tools help ensure that patients receive the right therapies and medications for their conditions in the correct amounts. He also explained that the company is working with regulators to evaluate prescription amounts for first-time users of pain medications as a strategy to reduce overages and limit misuse. While the challenges facing the nation s health care system may seem daunting, Merlo said that CVS Health s focus "continues to be on putting our patients first and providing them with convenient access to affordable, accessible care. For more information about our efforts to improve pharmacy care, visit our Thought Leadership information center . And to stay informed about the most talked-about topics in health care, register for content alerts and our bi-weekly health care newsletter. Related Articles By the Numbers: The State of Health Care in the United States Frustrated by the U.S. health care system, Americans want change, yet remain optimistic about its future outlook. On Target: What the New Hypertension Guidelines Mean New hypertension guidelines could mean lifestyle and medication changes for consumers. CVS Health tools and experts can help. 5 Things Pharmacists Do Beyond the Pharmacy Counter CVS pharmacists are on the front lines of health care and do much more for our patients than fill prescriptions. Related Press Releases 09.06.17 CVS Pharmacy Addressing Access, Affordability and Quality Care with Annual Free Health Screening Campaign 07.25.17 CVS Health Expands Clinical Affiliation with Cleveland Clinic to Increase Access to Patient-Centered Care and Improve Coordinated Health Care Delivery 04.18.17 Phoenix VA Health Care System, TriWest, and CVS Health Partner to Increase Veteran Access to Health Care Services 12.05.16 CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic Encourage Families to Get Their Flu Shots During National Influenza Vaccination Week 09.07.16 CVS Health Increasing Access to Health Care with Annual Project Health Campaign 08.22.16 CVS Health Research Institute Study Shows Value in Tailoring Medication Adherence Interventions to Specific Patient Populations gaining knowledge of
muscle tissues View from the Top : Merlo Offers Perspective on U.S. Health Care and the Opioid Crisis that every one
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