In brief: Owens & Minor’s FTC request, CVS Health’s exit, Medically Home’s leadership 

RICHMOND, Va. – Owens & Minor and Rotech Healthcare on Oct. 11 each received a request for additional information and documentary materials from the Federal Trade Commission in connection with its review of the merger of the two companies. 

The effect of a second request is to extend the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, until 30 days after each of the companies has substantially complied with the second request issued to it, unless that period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated earlier by the FTC, according to a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

“Completion of the merger remains subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the satisfaction or waiver of the other closing conditions specified in the merger agreement,” Owens & Minor stated. “The company continues to work constructively with the FTC in its review of the merger and expects that the merger will be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.” 

• Owens & Minor announced in July that it had entered into a definitive agreement to buy Rotech Healthcare, in a diversification play that expanded the company's presence into DME. 

CVS Health plans infusion exit 

NEW YORK – CVS Health plans to exit its core infusion services business in the coming months, according to Reuters. The company also plans to close or sell 29 related regional pharmacies, it says. CVS Health on Oct. 8 stopped taking new patients seeking antibiotics, drugs supporting muscular health and intravenous nutrition services, Shelly Bandit, a senior manager of corporate communications, told Reuters. The company will continue to provide specialty medications and enteral nutrition, or tube feeding, at pharmacies in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and San Diego, and provide nursing services nationwide, according to Reuters. 

• CVS agreed to buy Apria Healthcare's home infusion business, Coram, for $2.1 billion in 2013. 

Medically Home expands CMO’s role 

BOSTON – Medically Home, a tech-enabled services company coordinating acute hospital care to the home for patients, has expanded the responsibilities of its chief medical officer, Pippa Shulman, DO, MPH, to include chief strategy officer. The company says Shulman has played a formative role in creating and building the growing advanced-care-at-home industry as the clinical architect of its model, which has enabled care for more than 40,000 patients since 2017 when it admitted its first patient at home. “Pippa’s expertise in this sector is unmatched,” said CEO Graham Barnes. “This new responsibility will focus on delivering a forward-looking outlook for Medically Home by evaluating innovations, and critically thinking about our long-term direction, to ensure the organization’s ongoing and future success. Medically Home is the leader in the hospital-at-home industry, which is undergoing accelerated growth. We believe that hospital-at-home care delivery will become a permanent fixture within the healthcare infrastructure. And I couldn’t think of anyone better than Pippa to lead our strategy and maintain Medically Home’s competitive advantage.” Medically Home has developed a proprietary technology platform, with a logistics and clinical model, and a network of service providers, that placed together enable advanced care in the home. It enables hospital care for patients in their homes with more than 20 leading health systems nationwide. 

MAMES event draws increase in first timers 

WELCH, Minn. - The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services and Supplies welcomed 150 attendees and 70 exhibitors to its 2024 Fall Conference and Display Hall Oct. 2-4 at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino. The association also had four exhibitors that participated in the conference but not the display hall. “MAMES is so extremely fortunate that we were able to increase our exhibit hall to accommodate an additional 10 exhibitors,” the association stated. Of the 150 attendees, 30% were first timers. The conference featured a keynote with Gina Glover, state breakout meetings, a session on artificial intelligence and more. It also featured numerous networking events, as recognition for John Gallagher for his service to the industry and Al Neuman for his years of service on the MAMES board, including president. MAMES will host the 2025 Spring Conference and Display Hall April 23-35 in Des Moines, Iowa, and the 2025 Fall Conference and Display Hall Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Minnesota. 

Aeroflow expresses gratitude for Cherokee support 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Health extended its thanks to Principal Chief Michell Hicks of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise and Harris Cherokee Casino and Resort for their extraordinary assistance and support during Hurricane Helene. In the wake of the devastating storm, Chief Hicks and the tribal leadership provided essential support and resources that ensured the safety and the well-being of Aeroflow’s employees and their families. Their swift action and ongoing support have been instrumental in helping Aeroflow navigate the challenges brought by this natural disaster, the company says. “We are immensely grateful to Principal Chief Michell Hicks and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their partnership and generosity during this critical time,” said Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Health. “Their dedication to the safety and well-being of our employees underscores the strength and solidarity of our community, and we are honored to work alongside such remarkable leaders.” As Aeroflow Health continues to rebuild and support its affected employees, the company remains committed to working closely with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the company says. The partnership between Aeroflow Health and the Tribe exemplifies a shared commitment to community, resilience and mutual support, it says. 

• We interviewed Aeroflow Health CEO Casey Hite in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

Drive launches PulmO2 for disadvantaged regions 

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. – Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare has launched the PulmO2 Oxygen Concentrator to improve access to oxygen therapy in low- and middle-income countries. To ensure effective delivery and operation, DDH collaborated with Sanrai International, a key partner experienced in bringing medical equipment to underserved areas, to tap into the intricacies of underserved regions and ensure the concentrator's effectiveness in the most challenging settings. "Our mission has always been to lead in creating innovative health care solutions that improve lives," said Derek Lampert, Drive DeVilbiss CEO. "The PulmO2 is a testament to our commitment to transforming challenging health care environments. We are proud to partner with Sanrai to ensure that no patient, regardless of location, is left without access to critically important oxygen." With more than a million preventable deaths annually from hypoxemia in these regions, the PulmO2 addresses a critical gap in health care, Drive DeVilbiss says. The PulmO2's advanced features make it highly effective in resource-limited settings, including energy efficiency, solar compatibility, wide voltage range, durability, high altitude operation and user-friendliness, it says.