Will CVS Health's Formulary Move Boost Its Weight Management Program?

Barchart·06/24/2025 09:20:16

For CVS Health CVS, the key to building customer trust is to enhance access to life-changing medications and also make them affordable. Beginning July 1, the company’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager (“PBM”), CVS Caremark, will list Wegovy — the flagship GLP-1-based weight loss medication from Novo Nordisk NVO — on its largest commercial template formularies. Encouragingly, CVS plans to pair these medications with additional lifestyle clinical support as part of its Weight Management program.

In parallel, the company is removing Eli Lilly’s LLY GLP-1 medication, Zepbound, from its coverage, reflecting a broader strategy to reasonably balance access and affordability amid soaring demand for these drugs. Through the NVO partnership, CVS aims to significantly expand Wegovy’s reach at a more affordable price. The move mirrors its past success in driving the adoption of Humira biosimilars, including Cordavis — its branded version — which now holds the largest U.S. market share.

The highly impactful GLP-1 medications were initially launched at exorbitant prices, forcing many to exclude them from their benefits. PBMs like CVS Caremark negotiate drug prices on behalf of health plans and often receive manufacturer rebates in return for formulary placements of medications. That said, the combination of GLP-1 medications and the wrap-around support through its Weight Management program leads to better outcomes, even greater than the pre-program results. Recent compelling data revealed that Caremark clients using the program spent up to 26% less on GLP-1 medications for weight loss, with 92% of participating plan members expressing satisfaction after six months in the program. 

Updates From CVS Peers UNH and ELV

Another leading PBM, UnitedHealth Group’s UNH Optum Rx, is set to drop coverage for these GLP-1-based weight loss medications — Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound — effective July 1. In a recent update, Optum Rx noted that it is eliminating up to 25% of reauthorizations, which is equal to more than 10% of overall pharmacy prior authorizations, to make prescription drugs more affordable and the pharmacy experience simpler for consumers with chronic conditions.

Elevance Health ELV-owned PBM, Carelon Rx, also has a digital weight management program supporting members on their weight loss journeys, including those who utilize GLP-1 medications. Growth in CarelonRx product revenues was a key contributor to Elevance Health’s 15% operating revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025.

CVS Stock Outpaces Peers, P/S Remains Attractive

Year to date, CVS Health shares have rallied 48.8% against the industry’s 1.3% dip, ELV’s 1% gain and a steep 40.7% loss for UNH.

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CVS shares are trading at a forward three-year price-to-sales of 0.21X, lower than the industry average of 0.40X. The stock carries a Value Score of A.

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CVS Stock Estimate Trend

The consensus estimate for CVS Health’s 2025 earnings has been trending upward. However, the same for 2026 remains mixed.  

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CVS stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
CVS Health Corporation (CVS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV): Free Stock Analysis Report

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