Cigna Acquires CarepathRx, Serving 10% of U.S. Hospitals
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- Cigna acquired CarepathRx, a pharmacy that dispenses prescription drugs to nearly 10% of U.S. hospitals.
- STAT discovered the acquisition while reviewing Cigna’s financial filings.
- Cigna says the deal reinforces its push to control more of the lucrative flow of pharmaceuticals through the U.S. health‑care system.
- Cigna executives have told investors that managing prescription drugs has been a top priority since the 2018 $54 billion purchase of Express Scripts.
- The deal exemplifies the industry‑wide move toward vertical integration, where health insurers expand beyond core insurance services.
- Antitrust officials have warned that such consolidation could harm consumers and raise health‑care costs.
Why it matters: Cigna expands its drug‑distribution footprint, gaining more leverage over hospital pharmacies while potentially limiting competition; antitrust officials warn the consolidation could raise costs for consumers and diminish market choices, intensifying scrutiny of health‑care vertical integration as regulators consider the impact on pricing and access.
Ask SkimNews
