CVS Health Corporation (CVS)

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Aetna Won't Talk About Possible CVS Deal -- Market Talk
DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. 7:48 AM ET 10/31/2017

09:48 ET - Aetna declines to speak about the possibility of a deal with CVS Health(CVS), with CEO Mark Bertolini mentioning "speculation in the media about Aetna," and saying the company won't "comment on rumors or speculation." But he goes on to emphasize Aetna's long-term growth prospects, despite exiting or dialing back some lines of business for next year. He also talks about Aetna's pharmacy-benefit contract with CVS, which is up for renewal. He says CVS's contract to service Anthem's new PBM is "not a problem for us," and says "we're not at all concerned about that relationship," which may improve CVS's leverage in negotiating drug prices. Aetna expects to announce a decision on its PBM contract by the middle of 2018, the CEO says, though it may make the decision by the end of this year. ([e-mail])


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10-31-170948ET
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