BY Richard Summerfield
CVS Health Corporation has agreed to acquire Omnicare Inc for a total enterprise value of approximately $12.7bn, including $2.3bn in existing debt. The deal will see CVS pay around $10.4bn, or around $98 per share, in cash. The agreed price represented a 4 percent premium over the company’s closing price on 20 May, the day before the deal was announced.
The two companies expect the deal to be completed near the end of 2015, subject to approval by the holders of Omnicare's common stock, as well as other customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.
Omnicare has a burgeoning reputation in the pharmaceutical sector and is a rising firm in the business of prescription fulfilment for diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis. The firm is also the largest provider of prescription medication to nursing, assisted living and other healthcare facilities in the US.
"The acquisition of Omnicare significantly expands our business, providing CVS Health access into a new pharmacy dispensing channel," said CVS Health's president and chief executive Larry Merlo, in a statement announcing the deal. "It also creates new opportunities for us to extend our high-quality, innovative pharmacy programs to a broader population of seniors and chronic care patients as they transition across the care continuum. We have been impressed by the Omnicare team and what they have created for the patients they serve."
CVS intends to complete the transaction by utilising $13bn of fully committed unsecured bridge financing which has been secured from Barclays Bank. The company also expects to put in place permanent financing in the form of senior notes and/or term loans prior to the closing of the transaction.
The rapidly ageing US population has made the long term care segment of the healthcare system an extremely attractive proposition. As such, CVS’ play for Omnicare positions the company nicely for the future, as healthcare for the elderly is likely to be a considerable growth area moving forward.
News: CVS to expand pharmacy business with $10.1 billion Omnicare buy