CVS Health’s $69 billion takeover of Aetna may soon be greenlit by the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, according to Reuters, which cited a source familiar with the matter.
The deal brings together one of the nation’s biggest pharmacy retailers and a major health insurance provider.
However, approval may not come in September, according to the source. CVS may need to arrange divestitures to resolve antitrust concerns that may take some time, Reuters reported.
Another major deal in healthcare was approved by federal regulators earlier this week. Cigna’s $67 billion purchase of Express Scripts cleared the DOJ but still needs regulatory approval from several states.
The CVS deal is being closely watched as one of the most transformative transactions, bringing major industry consolidation. The deal was originally announced at the end of 2017 and is expected to close sometime in the second half of 2018, pending regulatory approval.
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Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."