Cigna has acquired CarepathRx, a prominent pharmacy that supplies prescription drugs to nearly 10% of U.S. hospitals. This strategic acquisition, revealed through a review of Cigna’s financial filings by STAT, marks a significant move in the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its influence over the pharmaceutical supply chain within the U.S. health care system.
The acquisition underscores Cigna’s commitment to managing prescription drugs, a priority emphasized by executives since the company’s $54 billion acquisition of Express Scripts in 2018. By integrating CarepathRx into its operations, Cigna aims to streamline its pharmaceutical services and potentially improve cost efficiencies.
This development is part of a broader trend of health insurers pursuing vertical integration, expanding beyond traditional roles to control more aspects of the health care ecosystem. Such consolidation raises concerns among antitrust officials, who argue that it may lead to reduced competition and higher costs for consumers, reflecting the ongoing tension between industry consolidation and regulatory scrutiny.
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