CVS split: a step towards a better future?

CVS Health, one of the largest healthcare players in the United States, is facing a potential major change. The company is considering splitting its core divisions - retail pharmacy and insurance - in response to financial challenges and pressure from investors. The move could fundamentally affect the direction the company takes and open the door to a new era of its operations.

The contemplated demerger

In recent weeks, CVS management has discussed several options for reshaping its structure. Among them is a plan to separate the retail pharmacy network from the insurance division, which includes Aetna, CVS's key 2017 acquisition. Discussions with financial advisors are still ongoing and a final decision has not yet been made, but the plan has already been presented to the board.

An important question in the process is where the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) division, which handles benefits administration for health plans, should fall. One option is to put it under the retail division,…