CVS, Aetna Lead a Potential Big-Deal Parade

CVS, Aetna Lead a Potential Big-Deal Parade

by | Dec 4, 2017 12:23 am | Managed Care, Pharmaceuticals, Physician Medical Groups, Private Equity

The fourth quarter, and the month of December in particular, are usually busy times for mergers and acquisitions, and often when big deals are announced. With one month to go in Q4:17, the pace may be picking up. Deal volume through December 1 stood at 231 transactions (-39% to last year’s 379), and $19.6 billion (-49% vs. $38.6 billion in Q4:16). But late on December 3, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) and managed care giant Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced their $69 billion merger. More mega-deals are in the offing. Possibly. The CVS/Aetna deal was first reported in October by The Wall Street Journal, with talk of $200 to $205 per share for Aetna. The final price is $207 per share in cash and... Read More »

Generic Drug Deals Are Getting Rarer

by | May 24, 2017 8:33 pm | Pharmaceuticals

The patent cliff is boosting the volume and market share of generic pharmaceutical products. Generics account for 88% of all prescriptions filled annually in the United States, according to the latest IMS Report. For good reason, since generic drugs typically cost between 50% to 70% less than their branded equivalents. Governments and managed care companies have historically been proponents of generic drugs, which can lower the cost of healthcare across the entire continuum. 2015 was the year of the M&A boom in the generic drug segment, with 25 deals totaling $64.8 billion. The targets include the companies focused on generic pharmaceuticals as well as the... Read More »