CVS · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Retail Pharmacy Demand

CVS HEALTH Corp · 2026-11-04 · Importance 25 · Surprise 32

Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness revenue declined $716 million, or 2.0%, to $35.498 billion in the third quarter of 2026, while pharmacy same-store sales fell 0.6%. Regulatory-related drug price reductions, generic drug introductions and pharmacy reimbursement pressure drove the decreases, partly offset by pharmacy drug mix, brand inflation and a 3.9% increase in same-store prescription volume. For the first nine months, segment revenue declined $404 million, or 0.4%, to $101.303 billion, although pharmacy same-store sales rose 1.7% and prescription volume increased 5.8%. Rite Aid prescription file acquisitions contributed volume, while the absence of Omnicare long-term-care prescriptions following its September 2025 deconsolidation partially offset prescription growth.

Key facts

• Third-quarter 2026 Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness revenue decreased $716 million, or 2.0%, mainly due to regulatory-related drug price reductions, generic drug introductions and pharmacy reimbursement pressure; offsets included drug mix, prescription volume including Rite Aid acquisition contributions, and brand inflation. source
• Prescriptions filled increased 3.2% on a 30-day equivalent basis in the nine months ended September 30, 2026 compared to the prior year, primarily driven by increased utilization and incremental volume from Rite Aid prescription file acquisitions, partly offset by the absence of long-term care pharmacy prescription volume after Omnicare deconsolidation. source
• Pharmacy same-store sales decreased 0.6% in third-quarter 2026, primarily due to regulatory-related drug price reductions, generic introductions and reimbursement pressure, largely offset by drug mix, 3.9% higher same-store prescription volume and brand inflation. source
• Prescriptions filled in Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness increased 1.9% on a 30-day equivalent basis in third-quarter 2026, driven by increased utilization and Rite Aid prescription file acquisition volume, partly offset by the absence of Omnicare long-term care volume after its September 2025 deconsolidation. source
• Pharmacy same-store sales increased 1.7% in the first nine months of 2026, driven by drug mix, a 5.8% increase in same-store prescription volume and brand inflation, partly offset by drug price reductions, generic introductions and reimbursement pressure. source
• Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness total revenues decreased slightly in the first nine months of 2026, with regulatory drug price reductions, generic introductions and pharmacy reimbursement pressure largely offset by pharmacy drug mix, prescription volume including Rite Aid acquisitions, and brand inflation. source