STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about CVS plans to split up, FDA inspections in India and China and more

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far, and remember there are only a few more days until the weekend arrives. So keep plugging away. After all, what are the alternatives? While you ponder the possibilities, we invite you to join us for a needed cup of stimulation. Our choice today is maple bourbon. A shot of salvation, so to speak. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits to help you on your way. We hope you conquer the world and have a wonderful day. And as always, please do stay in touch. We appreciate feedback, tips and criticism. … CVS Health has decided to split in two, reversing one of the signature deals that defined an era of health industry gigantism, The Wall Street Journal writes. One company will house its insurance giant Aetna and pharmacy-benefit manager Caremark, the other its 9,000 retail pharmacies. The breakup, planned for early 2028, comes a decade after the near-$70 billion merger that knit together Aetna and CVS, creating one of a new breed of giants that brought together multiple businesses spanning more of the healthcare industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted more unannounced drug inspections in India and China in Fiscal Year 2026 compared to the previous year, Regulatory Focus tells us. The increase is attributed to an effort by the agency to increase unannounced foreign inspections to achieve inspection parity between domestic and international facilities. The proportion of unannounced inspections in India increased from 47% in FY 2025 to 87% in FY 2026. In China, the percentage of unannounced inspections rose from 19% in FY 2025 to 61% in FY 2026. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe