CVS HEALTH CORPORATION

The three largest U.S. pharmacy benefit managers have excluded nearly all marketed Humira biosimilars from their 2025 standard formularies, marking a dramatic shift from 2024 when eight products were covered.

The FDA announced voluntary recalls of six popular acne products containing benzoyl peroxide after testing revealed elevated benzene levels above the conditional limit of two parts per million.

• Ascent Consumer Products has issued an urgent nationwide recall of SinuCleanse Soft Tip Squeeze Bottle Nasal Wash System after detecting Staphylococcus aureus bacterial contamination in specific lots. • The contaminated nasal wash system poses serious health risks, potentially leading to severe complications including meningitis, endocarditis, and brain infections, particularly threatening immunocompromised individuals and elderly patients. • The affected product, identified by lot number 024122661A1 with expiration date 12-31-2027, was distributed nationwide through major retailers including Walgreens and CVS in January 2025.

The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges with drug development costs exceeding $172 million per drug and Phase I to approval success rates below 10%, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.

Analysis reveals adalimumab biosimilar competition led to a 45% reduction in net spending during Q4 2023 compared to Q4 2022, despite biosimilars capturing only 1.35% of prescriptions.

• Complex formulary designs and entrenched rebate structures have significantly impeded the adoption of adalimumab biosimilars, limiting their potential to reduce healthcare costs. • CVS Health's early 2024 decision to prefer biosimilars led to market share jumping from 5% to 36% in one week, demonstrating the impact of formulary decisions on adoption rates. • Analysis shows broader biosimilar access could have saved the healthcare system up to $6 billion in one year, highlighting the significant financial impact of delayed adoption.

Walgreens is leveraging its pharmacy network to enhance patient recruitment and real-world evidence services for biopharma, emphasizing improved access and representation in clinical trials.

Walgreens and BARDA have formed a strategic partnership to advance the Decentralized Clinical Operations for Healthcare and Research (D-COHRe) program, valued up to $100 million.

Merck and N-Power Medicine are collaborating to broaden oncologist and patient participation in oncology clinical research, utilizing N-Power's real-time registry and AI-driven platform.

Retail pharmacies like Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger are expanding into clinical trial recruitment, leveraging their reach to improve patient enrollment and diversity in studies.