WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. has launched Pharmacy Advisor for chronic cardiovascular care, a pharmacy-based approach to managing one of the most prevalent and expensive chronic illnesses.

The initiative, which combines pharmacy benefit management insights and programs with pharmacist interventions, ensures that patients follow their medication regimens to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Pharmacy Advisor for chronic cardiovascular care will initially focus on improving medication adherence for four conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

High blood pressure alone affects one in three adults and costs the health care system around $76 billion a year.

“As a pharmacy innovation company, it is our responsibility to continue to find … effective ways to help people on their path to better health,” says executive vice president and chief health care strategy and marketing officer Helena Foulkes.