WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE:
CVS) announced today, in advance of World Arthritis Day on
October 12, the expansion of a
national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation® to help advance
arthritis advocacy, research and patient support. As part of the
partnership, CVS/specialty, the specialty pharmacy of CVS Health,
will be designated an Arthritis Foundation 'Partner for Better
Living'(SM) and be its first and only specialty pharmacy partner.
The distinction recognizes CVS/specialty's commitment to helping
people with arthritis and joint pain, and builds on the
longstanding relationship between the two organizations.
CVS/pharmacy is currently the exclusive retail drugstore partner of
the Arthritis Foundation.
"Our expanded partnership with the Arthritis Foundation will
allow us to extend our purpose of helping people on their path to
better health by supporting an organization dedicated to advancing
education, access to care, advancements in science and community
connections for people with arthritis," said Alan Lotvin, MD, executive vice president of
specialty pharmacy for CVS/caremark, the pharmacy benefits manager
of CVS Health. "CVS/specialty is a different kind of pharmacy with
services that offer convenience, care and support for our patients
with complex conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, so they have
the freedom to focus on every part of their lives, not just their
condition."
As an Arthritis Foundation 'Partner for Better Living,'
CVS/specialty is helping people with certain forms of arthritis
take control of managing their complex condition by supporting them
with specialized tools, personalized care and convenient access to
medications. In fact, the unique model of CVS/specialty is focused
on making it easier for patients with a range of complex conditions
to start and stay on their prescriptions.
"We're pleased to expand the important work we're doing with CVS
Health as the Arthritis Foundation continues to help people living
with arthritis conquer every day battles," said Ann M. Palmer, president and chief executive
officer of the Arthritis Foundation. "We know that access to
information and treatment is crucial for people living with
arthritis, and with CVS/specialty as a 'Partner for Better Living,'
we are now able to better support the millions of Americans with
arthritis, including the 1.5 million with rheumatoid arthritis
requiring specialty medicines."
CVS/specialty offers the support of a Care Team comprised of
pharmacists and nurses who specialize in chronic conditions such as
rheumatoid arthritis and insurance specialists who work to find
assistance for those with a financial hardship. Patients also have
access to personalized specialty infusion care conveniently
provided in the home or at an alternative infusion suite. In
addition, CVS/specialty simplifies getting started on therapy by
offering patients the choice of pickup at their local CVS/pharmacy,
or delivery to their home, office or other location. Patients have
access to online tools and a free mobile app where they can order
refills, track deliveries and get reminders to help them stay on
track. For more information about CVS/specialty, visit
www.cvsspecialty.com
Since 2014, CVS/pharmacy has been an Arthritis Foundation
'Partner for Better Living' and a one-stop-shop for
arthritis-related products, services and resources in-store and
online. As part of the partnership, many CVS/pharmacy locations
across the country house the Arthritis Solutions Center, which
features products and resources to help better support people
living with arthritis. By expanding the national partnership
with the Arthritis Foundation, CVS Health can better support the
full spectrum of people living with arthritis and joint pain.
About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy
innovation company helping people on their path to better health.
Through its more than 7,800 retail drugstores, nearly 1,000 walk-in
medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than
70 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services,
the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage
health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated
model increases access to quality care, delivers better health
outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more
information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at
www.cvshealth.com.
About Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is
the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community,
the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing
information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in
science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation's goal
is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing
personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day
another stride towards a cure. The Foundation also
publishes Arthritis Today, the award-winning magazine
that reaches 4million readers.
Media Contact:
Christina Beckerman
CVS Health
(401) 770-8868
christina.beckerman@cvshealth.com
Mary Alfieri
CVS Health
401-770-9811
mary.alfieri@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health