Tag: Cvs caremark

Federal law requires pharmacies to keep prescription records for at least two years [1.3.1]. So, **does CVS keep a record of your prescriptions?** Yes, CVS maintains a detailed history of your prescriptions in compliance with these laws and for your continuity of care.

Effective July 1, 2025, CVS Caremark, one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), removed Zepbound from its standard commercial formulary. This means that for many patients, the answer to 'Is Zepbound not available at CVS?' is tied directly to their insurance plan and requires exploring alternative pathways for coverage or access.

Demand for GLP-1 medications like Zepbound has skyrocketed, leading many to wonder about availability and access at major retail chains. It is important to understand the difference between the retail CVS Pharmacy and the insurance side, CVS Caremark, when asking, 'Is Zepbound available at CVS?'.

As of July 1, 2025, CVS Caremark, the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), removed the obesity medication Zepbound from its standard formulary for many patients. This major insurance change has caused confusion, but patients can still physically fill their Zepbound prescription at a CVS retail pharmacy, provided they have a valid prescription and a way to pay for it.

In clinical trials, people taking Zepbound lost an average of up to 20% of their body weight [1.7.3]. The critical question for many is: Will CVS still fill Zepbound prescriptions amidst recent insurance changes?

With GLP-1 medications being the fastest-growing segment in pharmaceuticals, many patients are asking a critical question: **Will CVS Caremark cover Zepbound in 2025?** [1.2.2]. Effective mid-2025, a major formulary change has altered the coverage landscape for this popular weight-loss drug.

Reports show Zepbound is not being discontinued by its manufacturer, Eli Lilly, despite circulating online rumors. Patient concerns stem from two distinct market shifts: the recent FDA-mandated end of compounded tirzepatide availability and decisions by some large insurance pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), such as CVS Caremark, to alter Zepbound's formulary status.

As of July 1, 2025, CVS Caremark removed Zepbound from its standard preferred formulary for many insurance plans, a decision that has caused significant confusion for millions of users. This policy change necessitates a clear understanding of the difference between a retail pharmacy and an insurance plan to properly answer the question: **Does CVS carry Zepbound**?.

Specialty medications can cost thousands of dollars a month, placing a heavy financial burden on patients. To address this, the PrudentRx program was developed as a strategy to manage the cost of these high-priced drugs for eligible health plan members. The program coordinates manufacturer copay assistance and other plan features to potentially reduce a patient's out-of-pocket costs to zero.

In 2025, CVS Caremark announced it would remove Zepbound from its most common formularies, a decision affecting tens of thousands of patients. The core reason for this move and the answer to **why is CVS dropping Zepbound** centers on financial negotiations and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) strategies to control rising drug costs for their clients.