As part of the Executive Viewpoint video series, DSN editor in chief Rob Eder sat down with Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, to discuss CVS Caremark's integrated pharmacy model and the future of health care in America.

CVS Caremark has grown from a go-getting New England-based regional player to a nearly $100 billion pharmacy healthcare giant known for its vertically integrated pharmacy-PBM model via the 2007 acquisition of Caremark, its highly successful loyalty card program and its innovative beauty concepts. Now, the industry trailblazer embarks on a new chapter with a new leader and an eye on driving medication adherence, curbing healthcare costs and improving the health outcomes of its patients.

CVS Caremark on Tuesday announced that a month-long, in-store fundraising campaign at CVS/pharmacy locations throughout the Boston area raised more than $650,000 in donations from customers to The One Fund Boston, which was established by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to raise money for victims and families who were affected by the attack on the Boston Marathon.

Walgreens extended its agreement as a network pharmacy provider in the CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management national retail network.

CVS Caremark executives were upbeat during last week’s conference call with analysts as the company pulled in a “strong” first quarter and narrowed its 2013 guidance to reflect higher-than-expected performance.

The positive start to 2013 is important as it further demonstrates that CVS Caremark’s distinctive, integrated healthcare model is resonating and spelling success for this pharmacy innovation company.

The year appears to be off to a good start, and CVS Caremark executives were optimistic Wednesday morning as the company pulled in a “strong” first quarter and narrowed its 2013 guidance to reflect higher-than-expected performance.

With National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27 and in light of a new national study revealing that 1-out-of-4 teenagers has misused or abused a prescription medication at least once, CVS Caremark is reminding families that proper management, storage and disposal of their medication can reduce access to drugs by young people in their homes.

Cardinal Health announced the renewal of its pharmaceutical distribution agreement with CVS Caremark to supply pharmaceuticals to the company’s retail pharmacies and distribution centers, as McKesson, which generally serves the PBM side of the business, also announced the renewal of its current distribution agreement with the pharmacy retailer.

The renewal of the agreements was not only critical for both companies but, as Adam Fein, president of Pembroke Consulting and CEO of Drug Channels Institute, wrote in his blog “CVS Caremark Renews with Cardinal and McKesson,” it also “demonstrates wholesalers' value in the brand-name pharmacy supply chain.”

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark has announced the recipients of the “Innovations in Community Health” grants.

CVS Caremark has announced that it will come together with the Boston business community to support The One Fund Boston, established by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to raise money for victims and families who have been affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy.

A MinuteClinic location at a CVS store in downtown Columbia, S.C., got a visit from one of the state's top health officials recently.

CVS Caremark elected on March 29 former Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon to serve on its board of directors, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.