Larry Merlo

Larry Merlo is President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health, a pharmacy innovation company that is at the forefront of a changing health care environment. The company, with net annual revenues of $139 billion, touches more than 100 million people each year through its unique combination of assets, including 7,900 retail pharmacies, more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, a comprehensive provider of pharmacy services to long term care facilities, and expanding specialty pharmacy services. Under Merlo’s leadership, the company is transforming health care by delivering breakthrough products and services that enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. As part of this deep commitment to public health, in 2014 the company announced the landmark decision to be the first major retail pharmacy to eliminate tobacco sales in all of its stores. To reflect this broader health care commitment, the company subsequently changed its corporate name to CVS Health. Merlo, a pharmacist by education, joined CVS/pharmacy in 1990 through the company’s acquisition of Peoples Drug. Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO in 2011, Merlo held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently President of CVS/pharmacy. Under his leadership, the company completed some of the most successful acquisitions in the history of retail pharmacy and delivered significant organic growth in major markets across the country. Merlo currently serves on the Board of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.