Major Health Industry Deals May Be Moving Closer to Approval

Two major health care deals that stand to reshape the insurance and pharmacy industries are moving toward winning antitrust approval, according to a person familiar with the matter, a final step as the takeovers head toward completion.

The U.S. Department of Justice is on track to soon approve the acquisition of pharmacy-benefit manager Express Scripts Holding Co. by health insurer Cigna Corp., as well as CVS Health Corp.’s takeover of insurer Aetna Inc., said the person, who asked not to be identified because the process is private.

(Related: CVS Likely to Get Aetna Deal Antitrust Approval)

CVS and Aetna are in talks with the Justice Department about divesting Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to resolve the government’s concerns the deal will otherwise harm competition. The Cigna-Express Scripts deal may not require any divestitures, said the person.

“We continue to constructively work with the Department of Justice and remain confident the deal will close by the end of the year,” said Brian Henry, a spokesman for Express Scripts.

Representatives for the Justice Department, CVS and Aetna declined to comment. A Cigna spokesman didn’t return requests for comment.