A glimpse of CVS Health innovations from ‘unsexy’ medical labels to testing geared to young people

CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Troyen Brennan highlighted some of the retail drugstore giant's plans designed to have an impact treating chronic conditions in the short and long term at the Wharton Healthcare Conference Friday.

At a time when there’s plenty of speculation about what Amazon’s real healthcare ambitions are, CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Troyen Brennan highlighted some of the retail drugstore giant’s plans designed to have an impact treating chronic conditions in the short and long term at the Wharton Healthcare Conference Friday. They span from changes to prescription labels to a future in which young people will be able to order a wide range of blood tests to assess risk.

Brennan said the company views its position as between the hospitals and the home, supplementing the work of (rather than competing with) primary care physicians and keeping in the loop when necessary. The company is interested in generating and analyzing data from patients in a way that is above and beyond what doctors want.

Its Minute Clinics will also have a focus on five chronic conditions, Brennan said,  including asthma, COPD, depression, hypertension, and diabetes. Home monitoring of chronic diseases involving multidisciplinary teams intervening, getting into patients homes have had a substantial effect, he noted.

Same day prescription drug delivery Brennan noted that between its 9500 stores and its distribution network it could do same day prescription drug deliveries and was already doing so in some cities. It plans to expand that program across its stores by the end of next year.

Transforming some of its stores The company plans to convert some of its stores into audiology centers and optometry centers and to provide infusion therapy in stores as part of adopting a wider role in offering more healthcare services.

Simpler labels Improving medication adherence is a big priority for the business and as part of that effort the business is rolling out new labels for its prescription medications that are easier for patients to understand and follow, starting in April, according to Brennen. With the change, Brennan estimated the store could improve adherence by 3 percent to 4 percent. “But people think new labels, that’s not very exciting, let’s talk about Amazon,” he joked.

Other ways it has sought to improve adherence and reduce gaps in care in care is by analyzing pharmacy benefit management, or PBM, data.  “We have been very successful doing this and I believe that will accelerate,” he said. “Once you have that information you need to be able to intervene.”

Diagnostic testing Asked about how the company will reach young people as customers for its healthcare services, Brennan noted that 20 somethings and 30 somethings appreciated flexible, at-home, on-demand care. They can get online with a doctor if they’re not feeling well, they can walk through their symptoms with a doctor and if the doctor thinks it’s warranted, they can order a testing kit online or buy it in-store. They send off their samples and day or two later they get lab tests back. Also, the company is looking at offering point-of-care testing in the next 2-3 years. Customers would come to CVS Health stores and a lab test they need across 30-40 tests the company plans to offer within 15 minutes based on CLIA-waived fingerstick tech.

Photo: Getty Images

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