CVS

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — To say that the impact of high prices at the pump this year is not as bad as it was in 2008 may be a testament to just how bad it was in 2008. As long as the price-per-gallon hovers above or below that magical $4, it’s still plenty bad, and there still are plenty of people who are changing shopping behaviors because of it.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic division has announced a clinical collaboration with northern Virginia healthcare provider Inova Health System to enhance healthcare services provided in communities throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

Inova operates a network of hospitals, outpatient services and healthcare centers that includes Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals, and Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is helping its shoppers save money on gas this summer with a new program that enables customers to earn free gas by purchasing select items at its stores nationwide.

With gas prices reaching $4 per gallon nationally, CVS/pharmacy is offering members of its ExtraCare Rewards program the ability to earn one $10 gift card to Exxon/Mobil, Shell, BP Amoco or BP Arco every week by spending $30 on specially marked items found in the weekly CVS/pharmacy circular. The program runs from May 22 to Aug. 28.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic is looking to make it easier and more affordable for campers to get the physicals they need in order to participate in activities by offering discounts on camp and sports physicals through July 31.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Monday that it will be launching a pilot of a real-time, integrated electronic prior authorization capability, available to its PBM clients, to help speed access to prescription medications.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced that it was selected as 1-of-20 finalists for the 2011 URAC Awards for Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection.

The accreditation organization will honor the finalists during the URAC 12th Annual Quality Summit on Oct. 4 to 6 in Chicago.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Tuesday the release of its 2010 corporate social responsibility report, which provides an overview of the company's commitments to environmental stewardship, improving patient health outcomes and positively impacting people's lives through its social investments.

The report, titled "Innovation, Leadership, Commitment," marks the company's fourth annual CSR report, which is available online at Info.cvscaremark.com/CSR.