CVS/Caremark dropping Viagra from its coverage list

Beginning next year, CVS/Caremark will no longer provide insurance coverage for the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

Pfizer’s popular drug is being dropped from CVS/Caremark’s formulary list. Patients will still be able to purchase Viagra at CVS pharmacies. However, they will have to either pay cash or use an insurance coverage that still covers Viagra.

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“For those drugs that are removed, equally effective products with lower overall costs remain available," CVS said. "Since introducing our industry-leading and rigorous approach ... in 2012, we have delivered significant savings for our plan sponsors."

CVS/Caremark’s formulary will include Eli Lilly & Co.’s Cialis. The decision is significant because CVS/Caremark is second-largest pharmacy benefits manager in the United States. 

“Pfizer is committed to ensuring patient access to our medicines,” Steve Danehy, a Pfizer spokesman, told Bloomberg. “Viagra continues to be available to millions of patients in the marketplace, including many patients whose pharmacy benefit is managed by Caremark.”

Express Scripts will continue to cover Viagra and Cialis in 2016. Neither CVS/Caremark or Express Scripts covers Bayer AG’s erectile dysfunction drug Levitra.