CVS CORP
S-4/A, 1999-06-25
DRUG STORES AND PROPRIETARY STORES
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1999
                                                     Registration No. 333-78253
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                            -----------------------


                              Amendment No. 1 to
                                   Form S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            -----------------------


                                CVS CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>

<S>                                <C>                            <C>
           Delaware                           5912                   05-0494040
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)     Classification Code Number)   Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                                 One CVS Drive
                             Woonsocket, RI 02895
                                (401) 765-1500
   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                 of registrant's principal executive offices)

                              Charles C. Conaway
                     President and Chief Operating Officer
                                 One CVS Drive
                             Woonsocket, RI 02895
                                (401) 765-1500
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                  including area code, of agent for service)

                            -----------------------

                                  Copies to:
                             Deanna L. Kirkpatrick
                             Davis Polk & Wardwell
                             450 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, New York 10017
                                (212) 450-4000
                            -----------------------


     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box: [ ]

<TABLE>

                                              CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
===================================================================================================================================
                                                                                         Proposed Maximum
          Title of Each Class                 Amount to be        Proposed Maximum      Aggregate Offering         Amount of
     of Securities to be Registered            Registered         Offering Price(1)          Price(1)         Registration Fee(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>

5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February               $300,000,000              100%             $300,000,000             $83,400
   15, 2004.............................
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the
    registration fee.


(2) Previously paid on May 11, 1999.


                            -----------------------



     The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or until the
Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------




<PAGE>




THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN
OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 25, 1999
PROSPECTUS

                                CVS Corporation

Offer to Exchange
5 1/2% Notes Due February 15, 2004
for
5 1/2% Exchange Notes Due February 15, 2004


     We are offering to exchange up to $300,000,000 of our new 5 1/2% Exchange
Notes due February 15, 2004 for up to $300,000,000 of our existing 5 1/2%
Notes due February 15, 2004. The terms of the new notes are identical in all
material respects to the terms of the old notes, except that the new notes
have been registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions
and registration rights relating to the old notes do not apply to the new
notes.

     To exchange your old notes for new notes:

     o    you are required to make the representations described on page 31  to
          us

     o    you must complete and send the letter of transmittal that
          accompanies this prospectus to the exchange agent, The Bank of New
          York, by 5:00 p.m., New York time, on , 1999

     o    you should read the section called "The Exchange Offer" for further
          information on how to exchange your old notes for new notes

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of the notes to be issued in the
exchange offer or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



The date of this prospectus is                 , 1999.


<PAGE>



                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Our SEC filings
are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. In addition, because our common
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, reports and other information
concerning CVS can also be inspected at the office of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

     This prospectus is a part of a registration statement filed by us with
the SEC under the Securities Act. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus
does not contain all of the information that you can find in the registration
statement or the exhibits to the registration statement.


     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference
includes important business and financial information that is not included in
this document and is an important part of this prospectus, and information
that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the
information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents
listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offering
under this prospectus.



   (1)  CVS' Annual Report on Form 10-K...... Year ended December 31, 1998;
   (2)  CVS' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q... Filed on May 11, 1999; and
   (3)  CVS' Current Reports on Form 8-K..... Filed on February 11, 1999,
                                              February 9, 1999.


     You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:

                               Nancy R. Christal
                      Vice President, Investor Relations
                                CVS Corporation
                       670 White Plains Road, Suite 210
                          Scarsdale, New York, 10583
                                (800) 201-0938


To obtain timely delivery of copies of these filings, you must make your
request no later than            .



                                       2

<PAGE>



                                CVS CORPORATION

     CVS Corporation is a leader in the chain drugstore industry in the United
States with approximately $15.3 billion in revenue in 1998. As of March 27,
1999, we operated 4,096 stores in 24 states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic,
Midwest and Southeast regions and in the District of Columbia, making us one
of the largest drugstore chains in the nation in terms of store count. We have
the number one market share position in six of the top ten drugstore markets.
We are also among the industry leaders in terms of store productivity and
operating profit margin.

     Our principal executive offices are located at One CVS Drive, Woonsocket,
Rhode Island 02895, telephone (401) 765-1500.



          CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     In the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
we make forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning:

     o    our future operating performance, including sales and earnings per
          common share growth and cost savings and synergies following the
          Revco and Arbor mergers;

     o    our ability to elevate the performance level
          of Revco stores following the Revco
          merger;

     o    our belief that we have sufficient cash flows to support working
          capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements;

     o    our belief that we can continue to improve operating performance by
          relocating existing stores to freestanding locations;

     o    our belief that we can continue to reduce selling, general and
          administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales;

     o    our belief that we can continue to reduce inventory levels; and


     o    our belief that we will incur only minimal business disruption and
          financial impact as a result of the Year 2000 issue.


     In addition, statements that include the words "believes," "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "estimates" or other similar expressions are
forward-looking statements. For those statements, we claim the protection of
the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.


What Factors Could Affect the Outcome of Our Forward-Looking Statements?

     You should understand that the following important factors, in addition
to those discussed elsewhere in the documents which are incorporated by
reference could affect the future results of CVS and could cause those results
or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in our
forward-looking statements.



                                       3

<PAGE>



     Industry and Market Factors


     o    changes in economic conditions generally in the markets served by CVS;


     o    future federal or state regulatory and legislative actions,
          including accounting standards and taxation requirements, affecting
          CVS or the chain-drug industry;


     o    consumer preferences and spending patterns;


     o    competition from other drugstore chains, from alternative
          distribution channels, including supermarkets, membership clubs,
          mail order companies and internet companies, and from third party
          plans; and


     o    the continued efforts of health maintenance organizations, managed
          care organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies and other
          third party payors to reduce prescription drug costs.

     Operating Factors


     o    our ability to combine the businesses of CVS, Revco and Arbor while
          maintaining current operating performance levels during the
          integration period(s) and the challenges inherent in diverting CVS
          management's focus and resources from other strategic opportunities
          and from operational matters for an extended period of time;


     o    our ability to implement new computer systems and technologies;

     o    our ability to continue to secure suitable new store locations on
          favorable lease terms as we seek to open new stores and relocate a
          portion of our existing store base to freestanding locations;

     o    the creditworthiness of the purchasers of former businesses whose
          store leases are guaranteed by CVS;

     o    fluctuations in the cost and availability of inventory and our
          ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and
          relationships;

     o    our ability to attract, hire and retain suitable pharmacists and
          management personnel;

     o    our ability and the ability of our key business partners to replace,
          modify or upgrade computer systems in ways that adequately address
          the Year 2000 issue. Given the numerous and significant
          uncertainties involved, there can be no assurances that Year 2000
          related estimates and anticipated results will be achieved as actual
          results could differ materially;


     o    our ability to establish effective advertising, marketing and
          promotional programs, including pricing strategies, in the different
          geographic markets in which we operate; and


     o    our relationships with suppliers.



                                USE OF PROCEEDS


     We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes.
The new notes will be exchanged for old notes as described in this prospectus
upon our receipt of old notes. We will cancel all of the old notes surrendered
in exchange for the new notes.

     Our net proceeds from the sale of the old notes were approximately $297
million, after deduction of the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions
and other expenses of the offering. We used those net proceeds to repay
outstanding commercial paper.


                                        4

<PAGE>


              SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA


     Our selected consolidated financial and operating data as of and for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 has been derived from our
consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP,
independent accountants. You should not take historical results as necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. You
should read this selected consolidated financial and operating data in
conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 27, 1999.


     The selected consolidated financial and operating data as of and for the
three months ended March 27, 1998 and March 28, 1999 and for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995 has been derived from our unaudited consolidated
financial statements. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for those periods.
The results for the three months ended March 27, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Years Ended December 31,                    Three Months Ended
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
                                                                                                             March 28,   March 27,
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts      1994         1995        1996        1997        1998        1998        1999
- ---------------------------------------------    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Statement of Operations:(5)
 Net sales...................................    $ 9,469.1   $10,513.1   $11,831.6   $13,749.6   $15,273.6   $ 3,601.5    $4,240.5
 Gross margin(1).............................      2,707.3     2,960.0     3,300.9     3,718.3     4,129.2     1,006.9     1,169.4
 Selling, general & administrative...........      2,290.5     2,522.8     2,696.2     3,014.2     3,198.7       768.0       876.2
 Merger, restructuring and other
   nonrecurring charges......................         --         165.5        12.8       442.7       158.3        --          --
 Operating profit(2).........................        416.8       271.7       591.9       261.4       772.2       238.9       293.2
 Interest expenses, net......................         86.6       114.0        69.9        44.1        60.9        11.2        14.3
 Income tax provision........................        144.3        74.3       271.0       140.8       314.9        95.7       114.3
 Earnings from continuing operations
   before extraordinary item(3)..............    $   185.9   $    83.4   $   372.4   $    76.5   $   396.4   $   132.0    $  164.6
Per Common Share Data:
 Earnings from continuing operations
   before extraordinary item:(3)
   Basic.....................................    $    0.47   $    0.18   $    0.98   $    0.17   $    0.99   $    0.34    $   0.41
   Diluted...................................         0.47        0.18        0.95        0.16        0.98        0.33        0.40
 Cash dividends per common share.............       0.7600      0.7600      0.2200      0.2200      0.2250      0.0550      0.0575
Other Operating Data:
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(4).......         2.68x       1.67x       3.96x       2.02x       3.98x       5.13x       5.39x
 Pharmacy sales as a percentage of
   total sales(6)............................         --          --          51.6%       54.7%       57.6%       56.4%       58.7%
 Total same store sales(6)...................         --          --           8.9%        9.7%       10.8%        7.4%       13.4%
 Pharmacy same store sales(6)................         --          --          13.5%       16.5%       16.5%       14.5%       20.4%
 Third party sales as percentage of
   pharmacy sales(6).........................         --          --          79.8%       80.8%       83.7%       82.8%       85.3%
 Number of stores (at end of period).........        3,617       3,715       4,204       4,094       4,122       4,064       4,096
Balance Sheet Data: (At End of Period)
 Working capital.............................    $ 1,552.7   $ 1,429.6   $ 1,540.3   $   981.5   $ 1,165.9   $ 1,086.5    $1,508.6
 Total assets................................      7,202.9     6,614.4     6,014.9     5,978.9     6,736.2     6,176.2     6,907.0
 Total long-term debt........................      1,012.3     1,056.3     1,204.8       290.4       275.7       290.1       575.5
 Total shareholders equity...................      3,341.4     2,567.4     2,413.8     2,614.6     3,110.6     2,743.0     3,264.2
</TABLE>

- -------------------


(1)  Gross margin includes the pre-tax effect of the following non-recurring
     charges: (a) in 1998, $10.0 million, or $5.9 million after-tax, related
     to the markdown of non-compatible Arbor merchandise and (b) in 1997,
     $75.0 million, or $49.9 million after-tax, related to the markdown of
     non-compatible Revco merchandise.

(2)  Operating profit includes the pre-tax effect of the charges discussed in
     Note (1) above and the following merger, restructuring and other
     non-recurring charges: (a) in 1998, $158.3 million, or $107.8 million
     after-tax, related to the merger of CVS and Arbor, (b) in 1997, $411.7
     million, or $273.7 million after-tax, related to the merger of CVS and
     Revco and $31.0 million ($19.1 million after-tax) related to the
     restructuring of Big B, Inc., (c) in 1996, $12.8 million, or $6.5 million
     after-tax, related to the write-off of costs incurred in connection with
     the failed merger of Rite Aid Corporation and Revco and (d) in 1995,
     $165.5 million, or $97.7 million after-tax, related to CVS's strategic
     restructuring program and the early adoption of SFAS No. 121, and $49.5
     million, or $29.1 million after-tax, related to CVS changing its policy
     from capitalizing internally developed software costs to expensing the
     costs as incurred, outsourcing information technology functions and
     retaining former employees until their respective job functions were
     transitioned.

(3)  Earnings from continuing operations before extraordinary item and
     earnings per common share from continuing operations before extraordinary
     item includes the after-tax effect of the charges discussed in Notes (1)
     and (2) above and a $121.4 million, or $72.1 million after-tax, gain
     realized during 1996 upon the sale of equity securities received from the
     sale of Marshalls.

(4)  For purposes of computing our ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
     earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income
     taxes and extraordinary item and fixed charges, excluding capitalized
     interest. Fixed charges consist of interest, capitalized interest and
     one-third of rental expense, which is considered representative of the
     interest factor.


(5)  Prior to the mergers, Arbor's fiscal year ended on July 31 and Revco's
     fiscal year ended on the Saturday closest to May 31. In recording the
     business combinations, Arbor's and Revco's historical stand-alone
     consolidated financial statements have been restated to a December 31
     year-end, to conform to CVS' fiscal year-end. As permitted by the rules
     and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arbor's fiscal
     year ended July 31, 1995 and Revco's fiscal year ended June 3, 1995 have
     been combined with CVS' fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.


(6)  Comparable data is unavailable for periods prior to 1996 due to CVS's
mergers and acquisitions subsequent to such periods.


                                       6

<PAGE>




                             DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

     The notes were issued under an indenture dated as of February 11, 1999
between CVS and The Bank of New York as trustee. The following summary
highlights material terms of the indenture. Because this is a summary, it does
not contain all of the information that is included in the indenture. You
should read the entire indenture, including the definitions of the terms used
below. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended. We have filed a copy of the indenture as an exhibit to the
registration statement to which this prospectus relates. See "Where You Can
Find More Information."

     The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to the
terms of the old notes, except that the transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the old notes do not apply to the new notes. If we do not
complete the exchange offer by September 19, 1999, which requires that we
begin the exchange offer by August 17, 1999, holders of old notes that have
complied with their obligations under the registration rights agreement will
be entitled to liquidated damages in an amount equal to a rate of 0.5% per
year on the notes until the consummation of the exchange offer.


General

     The notes:

     o    are our unsecured senior obligations

     o    mature on February 15, 2004


     o    bear interest at the rate of 5 1/2% per year from February 11, 1999,
          or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has
          been paid or provided for

     o    will not be listed on a national securities exchange

     Because the notes are not secured, your claim against the assets of our
company will be junior to the extent we have granted liens on our assets to
the holders of other indebtedness. In addition, the notes are not guaranteed
by any of our subsidiaries, so you will not have any claim as a creditor
against our subsidiaries, and the claims of creditors, including trade
creditors, of our subsidiaries against our subsidiaries will be senior to your
claims against them. At March 27, 1999:

     o    we had $18.5 million of secured debt, including capitalized leases

     o    our subsidiaries had $3.6 billion of liabilities, including trade
          payables

     We may, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue an
unlimited amount of additional notes under the indenture having the same terms
in all respects as the notes, except for possible differences as to payment of
interest on the notes:

     (1)  scheduled and paid prior to the date of issuance of those additional
          notes or

     (2)  payable on the first interest payment date following the date of
          issuance of those additional notes.

The notes and any additional notes would be treated as a single class for all
purposes under the indenture and will vote together as one class on all
matters with respect to the notes.


                                       7

<PAGE>



Payment of principal and interest

     We will pay interest on February 15 and August 15 every year, beginning
August 15, 1999, to the person in whose name each note, or any predecessor
note, is registered at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1
preceding the relevant interest payment date.


     Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months.


     We will pay principal, any premium, and interest on the notes at the
office we maintain in New York City for those purposes, which is currently the
corporate trust office of the trustee. The corporate trust office of the
trustee is located at 101 Barclay Street in The City of New York. You may
exchange your notes or register any transfer of notes at that office as well.

Optional Redemption


     We may at any time, at our option, redeem all or any portion of the
notes, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

     (1) 100% of their principal amount or


     (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption on a
semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months,
at the applicable Treasury Yield plus 0.125%

plus any accrued interest.

   How the optional redemption calculation will apply to the notes

     The present value of the remaining payments, as determined by clause (2),
will increase as interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities decline, since the
interest that we pay to you will be comparatively valuable compared to the
lower interest rates then being paid on comparable securities. The present
value will decline as interest rates increase. We will always pay you at least
100% of the principal amount of your notes, even if interest rates have
dramatically increased and the present value of the remaining payments is less
than that. However, clause (2) seeks to ensure that you will capture the
benefit of the increased value of your note as interest rates decline by
requiring us to pay you an amount equal to the present value of remaining
payments, as determined in clause (2).

   How the optional redemption payment in clause (2) is calculated

     In connection with any redemption date, the "Treasury Yield" will be an
annual rate equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the
comparable U.S. Treasury security. In calculating the yield to maturity of the
comparable U.S. Treasury security, we will assume a price for the comparable
U.S. Treasury security, expressed as a percentage of its principal amount,
equal to the applicable comparable Treasury price for that redemption date.

     An independent investment banker will select as the comparable U.S.
Treasury security a United States Treasury security that has a maturity
comparable to the remaining term of the notes that would be utilized, at the
time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of the notes. Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation will act
as the independent investment banker. If that firm is unwilling or unable to
select a comparable U.S. Treasury security, the trustee will appoint another
independent investment banking institution of national standing to act as the
independent investment banker.

     The "comparable Treasury price" means, in connection with any redemption
date applicable to the notes,


                                       8

<PAGE>




          (1) the average of the applicable reference dealer quotations for
          that redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest
          applicable reference dealer quotations, or

          (2) if the trustee obtains fewer than four reference dealer
quotations, the average of all quotations.

     "Reference dealer quotations" means, with respect to each reference dealer
and any redemption date for the notes, the average, as determined by the
trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable U.S. Treasury security
for the notes, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount,
quoted in writing to the trustee by that reference dealer at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date. Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation will be a reference dealer but, if it ceases to
be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City, CVS will
substitute another primary U.S. Government securities dealer to act as a
reference dealer.

Notices of Redemption

     Holders of the notes to be redeemed will receive notice of the redemption
by first-class mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for redemption.

No Redemption at Holder's Option

     The notes are not redeemable at the holder's option.

Restrictive Covenants

   Summary of the principal restrictive covenants

     The indenture governing the notes limits the ability of CVS and its
"restricted" subsidiaries to

     o    secure debt with security interests on our principal property or
          securities of our restricted subsidiaries unless the notes are
          equally and ratably secured or

     o engage in sale and leaseback transactions with respect to our principal
property, as we describe below.

     You should read the sections called "--Detailed explanation of
restrictions on Secured Debt" and "--Detailed explanation of limitation on
sale/leaseback transactions" for a more detailed explanation of these
covenants and the exceptions to them.

     Our principal property includes:

     o    any real and tangible property owned and operated, currently or in
          the future, by CVS or any of our restricted subsidiaries that
          constitute a part of any store, warehouse or, distribution center
          located within the United States of America or its territories or
          possessions

     o    but excluding

          o    current assets

          o    motor vehicles

          o    mobile materials-handling equipment and other rolling stock

          o    cash registers and other point-of-sale recording devices and

                                       9

<PAGE>


          o    related equipment and data processing and other office equipment,

     o    if the net book value of that store, warehouse or distribution
          center, including leasehold improvements and store fixtures
          constituting a part of that store, warehouse or distribution center,
          as of the date on which the determination is being made is more than
          1.0% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

As of the date of this prospectus, none of our stores falls within this
definition of principal property.

     Our board of directors may, however, designate any of our subsidiaries as
"unrestricted" and therefore not subject to the covenants.  However, our board
may not

     o    designate as an unrestricted subsidiary any subsidiary that owns any
          principal property or any stock of a restricted subsidiary

     o    continue the designation of any subsidiary as an unrestricted
          subsidiary at any time that it owns any principal property or

     o    cause or permit any restricted subsidiary to transfer or otherwise
          dispose of any principal property to any unrestricted subsidiary,
          unless

               (1)  that unrestricted subsidiary will be redesignated as a
                    restricted subsidiary and

               (2)  any pledge, mortgage, security interest or other lien
                    arising in connection with any Indebtedness of that
                    unrestricted subsidiary does not extend to any principal
                    property, except if the existence of that pledge,
                    mortgage, security interest or other lien would otherwise
                    be permitted under the indenture.

   There are many transactions not restricted by the Indenture

     However, the indenture does not contain any provisions that would

     o    limit our ability to incur indebtedness

     o    require the maintenance of financial ratios or specified levels of
          net worth or liquidity

     o    afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly
          leveraged transaction, change in credit rating or other similar
          occurrence

     o    require us to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of
          any of the notes upon a change in control or other event involving
          us which may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the notes

     o    limit our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders

   Detailed explanation of the restrictions on Secured Debt

     We will not, and we will not permit any of our restricted subsidiaries
to, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or create any Secured Debt, unless we
provide that the notes, together with, if we so choose, any other Indebtedness
of CVS or the applicable restricted subsidiary which is not subordinated to
the notes, whether then existing or thereafter created, will be secured
equally and ratably with, or prior to, that Secured Debt,

     unless

     taking account of the proposed Secured Debt, the sum of

                                      10

<PAGE>



     o    the aggregate amount of all outstanding Secured Debt of CVS and our
          restricted subsidiaries plus

     o    all Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions
          relating to a Principal Property, with the exception of Attributable
          Debt which is excluded as provided by clauses (1) to (8) described
          under "Detailed explanation of limitations on sale/leaseback
          transactions" below

would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

     This restriction will not apply to, and there will be excluded from
Secured Debt in any computation under this restriction and under "Detailed
explanation of limitation on sale/leaseback transactions" below, Indebtedness,
secured by:

               (1) Liens on property, shares of capital stock or Indebtedness
          of any corporation existing at the time that corporation becomes a
          subsidiary;

               (2) Liens on property, shares of capital stock or Indebtedness
if those Liens

               o    existed at the time of acquisition, including, without
                    limitation, by way of merger or consolidation, of that
                    property, shares of capital stock or Indebtedness or

               o    were incurred within 360 days of the time of that
                    acquisition by CVS or any restricted subsidiary;

               (3) Liens on property, shares of capital stock or Indebtedness
          acquired or constructed by CVS or any restricted subsidiary and
          created

               (a)  prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after,

                    o    that acquisition, including, without limitation,
                         acquisition through merger or consolidation, or

                    o    the completion of construction or commencement of
                         commercial operation of that property,

                    whichever is later or

               (b)  thereafter, if the Lien is provided for by a binding
                    commitment entered into prior to, at the time of or within
                    360 days after the acquisition, completion of construction
                    or commencement of commercial operation referred to in
                    clause (a),

          to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the
          purchase price or the construction price of that property, capital
          stock or Indebtedness;

               (4) Liens in favor of CVS or any restricted subsidiary;

               (5) Liens in favor of the United States of America, any State
          or the District of Columbia or any foreign government, or any
          agency, department or other instrumentality of the United States of
          America, any State or the District of Columbia, to secure partial,
          progress, advance or other payments as provided by any contract or
          provisions of any statute;

               (6) Liens incurred or assumed in connection with the issuance
          of revenue bonds the interest on which is exempt from Federal income
          taxation as provided by Section 103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code;

                                      11

<PAGE>


               (7) Liens securing the performance of any contract or
          undertaking not directly or indirectly in connection with the
          borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the
          securing of Indebtedness, if made and continuing in the ordinary
          course of business;

               (8) Liens incurred, no matter when created, in connection with
          CVS's or a restricted subsidiary's engaging in leveraged or
          single-investor lease transactions; provided, however, that the
          instrument creating or evidencing any borrowings secured by that
          Lien will provide that those borrowings are payable solely out of
          the income and proceeds of the property subject to that Lien and are
          not a general obligation of CVS or that restricted subsidiary;

               (9) Liens in favor of a governmental agency to qualify CVS or
          any restricted subsidiary to do business, maintain self insurance or
          obtain other benefits, or Liens under workers' compensation laws,
          unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation,

               (10) good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders,
          contracts or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of
          CVS or any restricted subsidiary, or deposits of cash or obligations
          of the United States of America to secure surety and appeal bonds to
          which CVS or any restricted subsidiary is a party or in lieu of
          those bonds, or pledges or deposits for similar purposes in the
          ordinary course of business,

               (11) Liens imposed by law, including laborers' or other
          employees', carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's and
          vendors' Liens,

               (12) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against CVS or
          any restricted subsidiary with respect to which CVS or that
          restricted subsidiary at the time shall be prosecuting an appeal or
          proceedings for review or Liens arising out of individual final
          judgments or awards in amounts of less than $100,000; provided that
          the aggregate amount of all those individual final judgments or
          awards shall not at any one time exceed $1,000,000,

               (13) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental charges or
          levies not yet subject to penalties for nonpayment or the amount or
          validity of which is being in good faith contested by appropriate
          proceedings by CVS or any restricted subsidiary, as the case may be,

               (14) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or
          reservations of, or rights of others for, rights of way, sewers,
          electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar
          purposes, or zoning or other restrictions or Liens as to the use of
          real properties, which Liens, exceptions, encumbrances, easements,
          reservations, rights and restrictions do not, in the opinion of CVS,
          in the aggregate materially detract from the value of said
          properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the
          business of CVS and its restricted subsidiaries;

               (15) Liens incurred to finance all or any portion of the cost
          of construction, alteration or repair of any Principal Property or
          improvements thereto created

               (a) prior to or within 360 days after completion of that
construction, alteration or repair; or

               (b)  thereafter, if that Lien is created as provided by a
                    binding commitment to lend entered into prior to, at the
                    time of, or within 360 days after completion of that
                    construction, alteration or repair;


               (16) Liens existing on the date of the indenture;

               (17) Liens created in connection with a project financed with,
          and created to secure, a Nonrecourse Obligation; or

               (18) any extension, renewal, refunding or replacement of the
          foregoing, provided that

                                      12

<PAGE>




               (a)  the extension, renewal, refunding or replacement Lien
                    shall be limited to all or a part of the same property
                    that secured the Lien extended, renewed, refunded or
                    replaced, plus improvements on that property, and

               (b) the Funded Debt secured by that Lien is not increased.

   Detailed explanation of limitation on sale/leaseback transactions

     We will not, and we will not permit any restricted subsidiary to, enter
into any arrangement with any person:

     o    providing for the leasing by CVS or any restricted subsidiary of any
          principal property of CVS or any restricted subsidiary

     o    if the lease is required by GAAP to be capitalized on the balance
          sheet of the lessee,

     o    if the principal property has been or is to be sold or transferred by
          CVS or that restricted subsidiary to that person

unless, taking account of the proposed sale and leaseback, the aggregate amount
of

     (1) all Attributable Debt with respect to all sale and leaseback
transactions as described above plus

     (2)  all Secured Debt, other than Secured Debt which is excluded as
provided by clauses (1) to (18) described under "Detailed explanation of
restrictions on Secured Debt" above


 would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.


     This covenant will not apply to, and there will be excluded from
Attributable Debt in any computation under this restriction or under "Detailed
explanation of restrictions on Secured Debt" above, Attributable Debt with
respect to any sale and leaseback transaction if:

               (1) CVS or a restricted subsidiary is permitted to create
          Funded Debt secured by a Lien as provided by clauses (1) to (18)
          inclusive described under "Detailed explanation of restrictions on
          Secured Debt" above on the Principal Property to be leased, in an
          amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to that sale and
          leaseback transaction, without equally and ratably securing the
          notes;

               (2) the property leased as provided by that arrangement

               (a)  is sold for a price at least equal to that property's fair
                    market value, as determined by the chief executive
                    officer, the president, the chief financial officer, the
                    treasurer or the controller of CVS, and

               (b)  within 360 days after the sale, CVS or a restricted
                    subsidiary, shall apply the proceeds to the retirement of
                    Indebtedness or Funded Debt of CVS or any restricted
                    subsidiary, other than Indebtedness or Funded Debt owned
                    by CVS or any restricted subsidiary.

          However, no retirement referred to in this clause (2) may be
          effected by payment at maturity or by any mandatory sinking fund
          payment provision of Indebtedness;

               (3) CVS or a restricted subsidiary applies the net proceeds of
          the sale or transfer of the leased principal property to the
          purchase of assets and the cost of construction of assets within 360
          days prior or subsequent to that sale or transfer;


                                      13

<PAGE>




               (4) the effective date of the arrangement or the purchaser's
          commitment therefor is within 36 months prior or subsequent to

               o    the acquisition of the principal property, including,
                    without limitation, acquisition by merger or consolidation,
                    or

               o    the completion of construction and commencement of
                    operation of the principal property, which, in the case of
                    a retail store, is the date of opening to the public,


          whichever is later;


               (5) the lease in the sale and leaseback transaction is for a
          term, including renewals, of not more than three years;

               (6) the sale and leaseback transaction is entered into between
          CVS and a restricted subsidiary or between restricted subsidiaries;


               (7) the lease secures or relates to industrial revenue or
          pollution control bonds or


               (8) the lease payment is created in connection with a project
          financed with, and the obligation constitutes, a Nonrecourse
          Obligation.


Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets


     CVS will not:

     o    consolidate with any person, or merge with or into any person, other
          than a restricted subsidiary, or

     o    sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
          substantially all of its property and assets as an entirety or
          substantially as an entirety in one transaction or a series of
          related transactions to, any person other than to a subsidiary,

     o    or permit any person to merge with or into CVS


unless:


     (a)  either

          (1)  (x)  CVS shall be the continuing person or

               (y)  the person, if other than CVS, formed by that
                    consolidation or into which CVS is merged or that acquired
                    or leased the property and assets of CVS shall

                    o    be a corporation organized and validly existing under
                         the laws of the United States of America or any
                         jurisdiction inside the United States of America and

                    o    expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed
                         and delivered to the trustee, all of the obligations
                         of CVS under the notes and the indenture, and

          (2) CVS shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel
stating that:

               o    the consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental
                    indenture complies with this provision


                                       14

<PAGE>




               o    all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture
                    relating to that transaction have been complied with

               o    the supplemental indenture constitutes the legal valid and
                    binding obligation of CVS or the successor, enforceable
                    against that entity in accordance with its terms, subject
                    to customary exceptions; and

     (b)  CVS shall have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate to
          the effect that immediately after, and taking into account, that
          transaction, no default shall have occurred and be continuing.

     The indenture does not restrict, or require us to redeem or permit
holders to cause a redemption of notes in the event of,

     (1)  a consolidation, merger, sale of assets or other similar transaction
          that may adversely affect the creditworthiness of CVS or its
          successor or combined entity,

     (2)  a change in control of CVS or

     (3) a highly leveraged transaction involving CVS, whether or not
involving a change in control.

Accordingly, you will not have protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction, reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction
involving CVS that may adversely affect the holders of notes. The existing
protective covenants applicable to the notes would continue to apply to CVS,
or its successor, in the event of such a transaction but may not prevent that
transaction from taking place.


Events of Default, Waiver and Notice


     The following events are considered events of defaults:

          (a)  CVS defaults in the payment of all or any part of the principal
               of the notes when the same becomes due and payable;

          (b)  CVS defaults in the payment of any interest on the notes when
               the same becomes due and payable, and that default continues
               for a period of 30 days;

          (c)  CVS defaults in the performance of or breaches any other
               covenant or agreement of CVS in the indenture and that default
               or breach continues for a period of 60 consecutive days after
               written notice of that default or breach has been given

               o    to CVS by the trustee or

               o    to CVS and the trustee by the holders of 25% or more in
                    aggregate principal amount of the notes;

          (d) events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to CVS;

          (e)       (1) an event of default as defined in any one or more
                    indentures or instruments evidencing or under which CVS
                    has outstanding an aggregate of at least $25,000,000
                    aggregate principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed
                    money, shall happen and be continuing and

               (2)  that indebtedness shall have been accelerated so that it
                    shall be or become due and payable prior to the date on
                    which the same would otherwise have become due and
                    payable, and


                                      15

<PAGE>



               (3)  that acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled
                    within ten days after notice of that acceleration shall
                    have been given

                    o    to CVS by the trustee, or

                    o    to CVS and the trustee by the holders of at least 25%
                         in aggregate principal amount of the notes at the time
                         outstanding; or

          (f)       (1) failure by CVS to make any payment at maturity,
                    including any applicable grace period, in respect of at
                    least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                    indebtedness for borrowed money and

               (2)  that failure shall have continued for a period of ten days
                    after notice of that failure shall have been given

                    o    to CVS by the trustee, or

                    o    to CVS and the trustee by the holders of at least 25%
                         in aggregate principal amount of the notes at the time
                         outstanding

     o    If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then, either the
          trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
          amount of the notes then outstanding by notice in writing to CVS,
          and to the trustee if given by holders, may declare the entire
          principal amount of all notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, to
          be due and payable immediately. Upon this declaration, the principal
          of and interest on the notes shall become immediately due and
          payable.

     o    If an event of default described in clause (d) occurs and is
          continuing, then the principal amount of all the notes then
          outstanding and accrued and unpaid interest shall be and become
          immediately due and payable, without any notice or other action by
          any holder or the trustee to the full extent permitted by applicable
          law.

     o    If an event of default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs and is
          continuing, if the acceleration of other indebtedness or failure to
          pay other indebtedness shall be

               (1)  remedied or cured by CVS or

               (2)  waived by the holders of that indebtedness,

          then the event of default under that clause shall automatically be
          remedied, cured or waived without further action upon the part of
          either the trustee or any of the holders.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes may control remedies
upon an event of default and waivers of an event of default

     Subject to provisions in the indenture for the indemnification of the
trustee and other limitations described in the indenture, the holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
trustee by the indenture. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that:

     o    conflicts with law or the indenture

     o    may involve the trustee in personal liability, or


                                      16

<PAGE>




     o    the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to
          the rights of holders not joining in the giving of that direction.

In addition, the trustee may take any other action it believes is proper that
is not inconsistent with any directions received from holders of notes as
provided by this paragraph.

     Subject to various provisions in the indenture, the holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes, by notice to the
trustee, may waive an existing default or event of default and its
consequences, except

     o    a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note as
          specified in clauses (a) or (b) of "--Events of Default" or

     o    in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture which cannot
          be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
          outstanding note affected.

Upon any waiver, the default shall cease to exist, and any event of default
arising therefrom shall automatically be cured, for every purpose of the
indenture; but no waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.

     No holder of any notes may institute any proceeding, judicial or
otherwise, with respect to the indenture or the notes, or for the appointment
of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under the indenture, unless:

          (1)  that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice
               of a continuing event of default;

          (2)  the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
               outstanding notes shall have made written request to the
               trustee to institute proceedings in respect of that event of
               default in its own name as trustee under the indenture;

          (3)  that holder or holders have offered to the trustee indemnity
               reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against any costs,
               liabilities or expenses to be incurred in compliance with that
               request;

          (4)  the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of the notice,
               request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute that
               proceeding; and

          (5)  during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in
               aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes have not
               given the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with that
               written request.

A holder may not use the indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder
or to obtain a preference or priority over any other holder.

     However, notwithstanding any of the provisions described above, the right
of any holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest on or after their respective due dates or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any of those payments on or after those dates, may not be
impaired or affected without the consent of that holder.


Information

     Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we have
agreed that, so long as any notes are outstanding, we will furnish to the
trustee, within 15 days after we are or would have been required to file with
the SEC, and to furnish to the holders of the notes thereafter:

                                      17

<PAGE>




           (1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be
               required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q
               and 10-K if we were required to file those Forms, including a
               "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
               and Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual
               information only, a report thereon by our certified independent
               accountants, and

           (2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the
               SEC on Form 8-K if we were required to file those reports.

      In addition, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the
SEC, at any time after we file a registration statement with respect to an
exchange offer or a registration statement permitting resales of the notes, we
will file a copy of all that information and reports with the SEC for public
availability and make that information available to securities analysts and
prospective investors upon request.

     In addition, we have agreed that, for so long as any notes remain
outstanding, we will furnish to the holders and to securities analysts and
prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be
delivered by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Requests should be
directed to the address referred to under "Where You Can Find More
Information." Under Rule 144A(d)(4), we are not required to deliver any
information so long as we continue to be a reporting company under the
Exchange Act.


     We will be required to file with the trustee annually, within four months
of the end of each fiscal year, a certificate as to the compliance with all
conditions and covenants of the indenture.


Discharge of the Notes

     We may terminate our obligations under the notes and the indenture if:

      (1) all notes previously authenticated and delivered, other than notes
          that were mutilated or lost, have been delivered to the trustee for
          cancellation and we have paid all sums payable by us under the
          indenture; or

     (2)  (a)  the notes

               o    mature within one year or

               o    all of them are to be called for redemption within one year
                    under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for giving
                    the notice of redemption,

          (b)  we irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee, as trust
               funds solely for the benefit of the holders of the notes for
               that purpose, money or U.S. Government Obligations or a
               combination sufficient, without consideration of any
               reinvestment, to pay the principal of and interest on the notes
               to maturity or redemption, as relevant, and to pay all other
               sums payable by us under the indenture, and

          (c)  we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an
               opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions
               precedent provided for in the indenture relating to the
               satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied
               with.

     If all notes previously authenticated and delivered have been cancelled
as provide in clause (1), the only obligations we will continue to have under
the indenture will be to compensate and indemnify the trustee.

     If we have complied with the requirements of clause (2), the only
obligations we will continue to have under the indenture until the notes are
no longer outstanding, will be to:

     o    maintain an office or agency in respect of the notes


                                      18

<PAGE>




     o    have moneys held for payment in trust, although the indenture
          permits us to recover from the trustee moneys held in trust if those
          moneys have been unclaimed for two years

     o    register the transfer or exchange of the notes

     o    deliver notes for replacement or to be canceled

     o    compensate and indemnify the trustee

     o    appoint a successor trustee

Defeasance

     We:

          (1)  will be considered to have paid and will be discharged from all
               obligations in respect of the notes, and the provisions of the
               indenture will, except as noted below, no longer be in effect
               with respect to the notes or

          (2)  (a)  need not comply with any specific covenant which may
                    be defeased under the indenture, and our non-compliance
                    will not be an event of default under clause (c) of
                    "--Events of Default"

               (b)  otherwise, continue to comply with the indenture

     if we satisfy the following conditions:

           (a) we irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee as trust funds
               solely for the benefit of the holders of the notes, for payment
               of the principal of and interest on the notes, money or U.S.
               Government Obligations or a combination sufficient, without
               consideration of any reinvestment, to pay and discharge the
               principal of and accrued interest on the outstanding notes

               o    to maturity or

               o    to a specific redemption date, if we make irrevocable
                    arrangements satisfactory to the trustee to ensure that
                    the redemption will occur on that date;

          (b)  the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
               constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material
               agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we
               are bound;

          (c)  no default with respect to the notes has occurred and is
               continuing on the date of that deposit;

          (d)  we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that

               (1)  the holders of the notes

                    o    will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal
                         income tax purposes as a result of our election to
                         defease the notes and

                    o    will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
                         amount, in the same manner and at the same times as
                         would have been the case if that deposit and
                         defeasance had not occurred and

               (2)  the holders of the notes have a valid security interest in
                    the trust funds, and


                                      19

<PAGE>




           (e) we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an
               opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions
               precedent have been complied with.

o    In the case of legal defeasance under clause (1) above, the opinion of
     counsel referred to in clause (d)(1) above may be replaced by a ruling
     directed to the trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the
     same effect.

o    After the notes are no longer outstanding, the only obligations we will
     have under the indenture will be to compensate and indemnify the trustee,
     and we will have the right to recover excess money held by the trustee.

Modification and Waiver

   Amendments without the consent of any holder

     CVS and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes
without notice to or the consent of any holder:

          (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;
     provided that those amendments or supplements do not materially and
     adversely affect the interests of the holders;

          (2) to comply with the provisions of the indenture in connection
     with a consolidation or merger of CVS or the sale, conveyance, transfer,
     lease or other disposal of all or substantially all of the property and
     assets of CVS;

          (3) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with
     the qualification of the indenture under the Trust indenture Act;


          (4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under
     the indenture by a successor trustee; or


          (5) to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect
the rights of any holder.

   Amendments with the consent of the holders

     Majority consent is usually sufficient

     CVS and the trustee may amend the indenture and the outstanding notes
with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the notes then outstanding, and the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding notes by written notice to the trustee may waive future
compliance by CVS with any provision of the indenture or the notes.

     The following provisions require the consent of all holders affected
thereby

     Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, without the consent of each
holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:

          (a)  extend the stated maturity of the principal of, or any
               installment of interest on, that holder's notes, or reduce the
               principal of or the rate of interest on the notes, or any
               premium payable with respect to the notes,

          (b)  change any place or currency of payment where any note or any
               premium or interest is payable,

          (c)  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
               payment on or after the due date therefor,


                                      20

<PAGE>




          (d)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding notes
               the consent of whose holders is required for any supplemental
               indenture, for any waiver of

               o    compliance with the provisions of the indenture or

               o    defaults and the consequences of those defaults established
                    in the indenture,

          (e)  waive a default in the payment of principal of or interest on
               any note of a holder; or

          (f)  modify this provision of the indenture, except to increase any
               percentage or to provide that other provisions of the indenture
               cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder
               of each outstanding note thereunder affected thereby.

     The consent of any holder need not approve the particular form of any
proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, so long as the consent approves the
substance of the amendment. After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective, we will give to the holders affected thereby a notice briefly
describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. We will mail supplemental
indentures to holders upon request. Any failure of CVS to mail that notice, or
any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the
validity of any supplemental indenture or waiver.


Governing Law

     The indenture and the notes will be governed by the laws of the State of
New York.


The Trustee

     We and our subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and trust relationships
with The Bank of New York, which is the trustee for the notes, and its
affiliates. The Bank of New York also acts as the registrar and transfer agent
for our common stock, and BONY Capital Markets, Inc., an affiliate of the
trustee, acted as an initial purchaser of the old notes.


Book-Entry; Delivery and Form


     The certificates representing the new notes will be issued in fully
registered form, without coupons. Except as described below, the new notes
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New
York, New York, and registered in the name of Cede & Co. as DTC's nominee, in
the form of a global note.

     The Global Note.   CVS expects that in accordance with procedures
established by DTC

     (a)  upon deposit of the global note, DTC or its custodian will credit on
          its internal system interests in the global notes to the accounts of
          persons, or "participants", who have accounts with DTC

     (b)  holders of the notes that are not participants in DTC will have
          their ownership interests reflected on the records of their
          participant.

     Any transfer of ownership interests held by a participant will be made
through records maintained by DTC or its nominee, and transfers of interests
held indirectly through participants will be made through the records of
participants. You will not be able to own an interest in the global note
unless you are a participant or hold an interest through a participant.

     So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner or holder of the
new notes, DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the new notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the


                                      21

<PAGE>




indenture. You will not be able to transfer your interest in the global note
except in accordance with DTC's procedures, in addition to those provided for
under the indenture with respect to the new notes.

     We will make payments on the global note to DTC or its nominee, as the
registered owner of the note. None of CVS, the trustee or any paying agent
under the indenture will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect
of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the global note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to beneficial ownership interests.

     We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of the
principal of or premium and interest on the global note, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global note as
shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through
them will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is
now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in
the names of nominees for those customers. Such payments will be the
responsibility of the participants.

     Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with
DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. If a holder
requires physical delivery of a certificated note for any reason, including to
sell new notes to persons in states which require physical delivery of the new
notes or to pledge them, the holder must transfer its interest in the global
note in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and with the procedures
set forth in the indenture.

     DTC has advised us that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by
a holder of new notes only at the direction of one or more participants to
whose account at DTC interests in the global note are credited and only in
respect of that portion of the aggregate principal amount of new notes as to
which the participant or participants has or have given such direction.
However, if there is an event of default under the indenture, DTC will
exchange the global note for certificated notes, which it will distribute to
its participants.

     DTC has advised us that it is

     o    a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State
          of New York,

     o    a member of the Federal Reserve System,

     o    a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
          Code

     o    a "clearing agency" registered in accordance with the provisions of
          Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitate the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is
available to others, including banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
either directly or indirectly.

     Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants, it
is under no obligation to perform these procedures, and these procedures may
be discontinued at any time. Neither CVS nor the trustee will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect
participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations.

     Certificated Notes.  Interests in the global notes will be exchangeable or
transferable, as the case may be, for certificated notes if


                                      22

<PAGE>




          (1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
     depositary for the global notes, or DTC ceases to be a "clearing agency"
     registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not
     appointed by CVS within 90 days, or

          (2)   CVS in its discretion at any time determines not to have all
     the notes represented by the global notes, or

          (3) an event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect
     to the new notes.

      Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the preceding
sentence, CVS will cause the appropriate certificated notes to be delivered.

Defined terms

     The following terms referred to in this "Description of Notes" are
defined in the indenture as follows:

     "Attributable Debt" means, in connection with any sale and leaseback
transaction under which either CVS or any restricted subsidiary is at the time
liable as lessee for a term of more than 12 months and at any date as of which
the amount thereof is to be determined, the lesser of

     (A)  total net obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the
          remaining term of the lease discounted from the respective due dates
          of the payments to the determination date at a yearly rate
          equivalent to the greater of

          (1)  the weighted average Yield to Maturity of the notes, the
               average being weighted by the principal amount of the notes and

          (2)  the interest rate inherent in the lease, as determined in good
               faith by CVS, both to be compounded semi-annually or

     (B)  the sale price for the assets so sold and leased multiplied by a
          fraction the numerator of which is the remaining portion of the base
          term of the lease included in the transaction and the denominator of
          which is the base term of the lease.

     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, at any date,

     o    the total assets appearing on the most recent consolidated balance
          sheet of CVS and its restricted subsidiaries as at the end of the
          fiscal quarter of CVS ending not more than 135 days prior to the
          date, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
          principles, less

     o    all current liabilities due within one year as shown on that balance
          sheet,

     o    investments in and advances to unrestricted subsidiaries and

     o    Intangible Assets and liabilities relating thereto.

     "Funded Debt" means

     o    any Indebtedness of CVS or a restricted subsidiary maturing more than
          12 months after the time of computation



                                      23

<PAGE>




     o    guarantees of Funded Debt or of dividends of others, except
          guarantees in connection with the sale or discount of accounts
          receivable, trade acceptances and other paper arising in the
          ordinary course of business,

     o    in the case of any restricted subsidiary, all of its preferred stock
          having mandatory redemption provisions as reflected on its balance
          sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
          principles, and

     o    all capital lease obligations, as defined in the indenture.

     "Indebtedness" means, at any date, without duplication, all obligations
for borrowed money of CVS or a restricted subsidiary.

     "Intangible Assets" means, at any date, the value, as shown on or
reflected in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of CVS and its
restricted subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal quarter of CVS ending not
more than 135 days prior to the date, prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, of:

     (1)  all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights, service
          marks, goodwill and other like intangibles;

     (2)  organizational and development costs;

     (3)  deferred charges, other than prepaid items, including as insurance,
          taxes, interest, commissions, rents, pensions, compensation and
          similar items and tangible assets being amortized; and

     (4)  unamortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized premium.

     "Liens" means pledges, mortgages, security interests and other liens on
any principal property of CVS or a restricted subsidiary which secure Secured
Debt.

     "Nonrecourse Obligation" means indebtedness or lease payment obligations
substantially related to

     (1)  the acquisition of assets not previously owned by CVS or any
          restricted subsidiary or

     (2)  the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of
          properties of CVS or any restricted subsidiary, as to which the
          obligee with respect to the indebtedness or obligation has no
          recourse to CVS or any restricted subsidiary or any assets of CVS or
          any subsidiary other than the assets which were acquired with the
          proceeds of the transaction or the project financed with the
          proceeds of the transaction and the proceeds of that asset or
          project.

     "Secured Debt" means Funded Debt which is secured by any pledge of, or
mortgage, security interest or other lien on any

     (1)  principal property, whether owned on the date of the indenture or
          thereafter acquired or created,

     (2)  shares of stock owned by CVS or a subsidiary in a restricted
          subsidiary or

     (3)  Indebtedness of a restricted subsidiary.

     "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding stock, which, under ordinary circumstances not dependent upon the
happening of a contingency, has voting power to elect a majority of the board
of directors of that corporation or similar management body, is owned directly
or indirectly by CVS and/or by one or more subsidiaries of CVS.


                                      24

<PAGE>




                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER

     In a registration rights agreement between CVS and the initial purchasers
of the old notes, we agreed


          (1) to file a registration statement on or prior to 90 days after the
     closing of the offering of the old notes with respect to an offer to
     exchange the old notes for a new issue of notes, with terms substantially
     the same as of the old notes but registered under the Securities Act,

          (2) to use our best efforts to cause the registration statement to be
     declared effective by the SEC on or prior to 180 days after the closing
     of the old notes offering and

          (3) use our best efforts to consummate the exchange offer and issue
     the new notes within 30 business days after the registration statement is
     declared effective.


     The registration rights agreement provides that, in the event we fail to
file the registration statement within 90 days after the closing date or
consummate the exchange offer within 220 days, we will be required to pay
additional interest on the old notes over and above the regular interest on
the notes. Once we complete this exchange offer, we will no longer be required
to pay additional interest on the old notes.

     The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will we accept tenders for
exchange from, holders of old notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange
offer or acceptance of the exchange offer would violate the securities or blue
sky laws of that jurisdiction.


Terms of the Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering Old Notes


     This prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal contain the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions included in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of
transmittal, which together are the exchange offer, we will accept for
exchange old notes which are properly tendered on or prior to the expiration
date, unless you have previously withdrawn them.


     o    When you tender to us old notes as provided below, our acceptance of
          the old notes will constitute a binding agreement between you and us
          upon the terms and subject to the conditions in this prospectus and
          in the accompanying letter of transmittal.


     o    For each $1,000 principal amount of old notes surrendered to us in
          the exchange offer, we will give you $1,000 principal amount of new
          notes.

     o    We will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30 days, or
          longer if required by applicable law, after the date that we first
          mail notice of the exchange offer to the holders of the old notes.
          We are sending this prospectus, together with the letter of
          transmittal, on or about the date of this prospectus to all of the
          registered holders of old notes at their addresses listed in the
          trustee's security register with respect to old notes.


     o    The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on      ,
          1999; provided, however, that we, in our sole discretion, may extend
          the period of time for which the exchange offer is open. The term
          "expiration date" means , 1999 or, if extended by us, the latest
          time and date to which the exchange offer is extended.

     o    As of the date of this prospectus, $300,000,000 in aggregate
          principal amount of the old notes were outstanding. The exchange
          offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of old
          notes being tendered.


                                      25

<PAGE>




     o    Our obligation to accept old notes for exchange in the exchange
          offer is subject to the conditions that we describe in the section
          called "Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below.

     o    We expressly reserve the right, at any time, to extend the period of
          time during which the exchange offer is open, and thereby delay
          acceptance of any old notes, by giving oral or written notice of an
          extension to the exchange agent and notice of that extension to the
          holders as described below. During any extension, all old notes
          previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer unless
          withdrawal rights are exercised. Any old notes not accepted for
          exchange for any reason will be returned without expense to the
          tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
          termination of the exchange offer.

     o    We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange
          offer, and not to accept for exchange any old notes that we have not
          yet accepted for exchange, if any of the conditions of the exchange
          offer specified below under "Conditions to the Exchange Offer" are
          not satisfied.

     o    We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment,
          termination or non-acceptance described above to holders of the old
          notes as promptly as practicable. If we extend the expiration date,
          we will give notice by means of a press release or other public
          announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
          business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. Without
          limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public
          announcement and subject to applicable law, we will have no
          obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any public
          announcement other than by issuing a release to the Dow Jones News
          Service.

     o    Holders of old notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
          in with the exchange offer.


     o    Old notes which are not tendered for exchange or are tendered but
          not accepted in connection with the exchange offer will remain
          outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, but
          will not be entitled to any further registration rights under the
          registration rights agreement.

     o    We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the
          applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
          regulations of the SEC thereunder.


     o    By executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, the letter of
          transmittal, you will be making the representations described below
          to us. See "--Resales of the New Notes."


     Important rules concerning the exchange offer

     You should note that:


     o    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt
          and acceptance of old notes tendered for exchange will be determined
          by CVS in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final
          and binding.


     o    We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of any
          particular old notes not properly tendered or to not accept any
          particular old notes which acceptance might, in our judgment or the
          judgment of our counsel, be unlawful.


     o    We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defects or
          irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to any
          particular old notes either before or after the expiration date,
          including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who
          seeks to tender old notes in the exchange offer. Unless we agree to
          waive any defect or irregularity in connection with the tender of
          old notes for exchange, you must cure any defect or irregularity
          within any reasonable period of time as we shall determine.



                                      26

<PAGE>




     o    Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer
          as to any particular old notes either before or after the expiration
          date shall be final and binding on all parties.

     o    Neither CVS, the exchange agent nor any other person shall be under
          any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity with
          respect to any tender of old notes for exchange, nor shall any of
          them incur any liability for failure to give any notification.


Procedures for Tendering Old Notes

     What to submit and how


     If you, as the registered holder of an old note, wish to tender your old
notes for exchange in the exchange offer, you must transmit a properly
completed and duly executed letter of transmittal to The Bank of New York at
the address set forth below under "Exchange Agent" on or prior to the
expiration date.


     In addition,


     (1) certificates for old notes must be received by the exchange agent
     along with the letter of transmittal, or

     (2) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of old notes, if such
     procedure is available, into the exchange agent's account at DTC using
     the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be received
     by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date or


     (3) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described
     below.


     The method of delivery of old notes, letters of transmittal and notices
of guaranteed delivery is at your election and risk. If delivery is by mail,
we recommend that registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt
requested, be used. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure
timely delivery. No letters of transmittal or old notes should be sent to CVS.


     How to sign your letter of transmittal and other documents


     Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the old notes being surrendered for
exchange are tendered


     (1) by a registered holder of the old notes who has not completed the box
     entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery
     Instructions" on the letter of transmittal or


     (2) for the account of an eligible institution.

If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, are required to be guaranteed, the guarantees must be by any of
the following eligible institutions:

     o    a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange
          or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
          or

     o    a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent
          in the United States

     If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than
the registered holder or holders of old notes, the old notes must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case signed
exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders that appear
on the old notes and with the signature guaranteed.


                                      27

<PAGE>



     If the letter of transmittal or any old notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers or corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, the person should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by
CVS, proper evidence satisfactory to CVS of its authority to so act must be
submitted.

Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes

     Once all of the conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied or waived,
we will accept, promptly after the expiration date, all old notes properly
tendered and will issue the new notes promptly after acceptance of the old
notes. See "Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For purposes of the
exchange offer, our giving of oral or written notice of our acceptance to the
exchange agent will be considered our acceptance of the exchange offer.

     In all cases, we will issue new notes in exchange for old notes that are
accepted for exchange only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:

     o    certificates for old notes, or

     o    a timely book-entry confirmation of transfer of old notes into the
          exchange agent's account at DTC using the book-entry transfer
          procedures described below, and

     o    a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal.

     If we do not accept any tendered old notes for any reason included in the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer or if you submit certificates
representing old notes in a greater principal amount than you wish to
exchange, we will return any unaccepted or non-exchanged old notes without
expense to the tendering holder or, in the case of old notes tendered by
book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC using the
book-entry transfer procedures described below, non-exchanged old notes will
be credited to an account maintained with DTC as promptly as practicable after
the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.


Book-Entry Transfer


     The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with
respect to the old notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly
after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a
participant in DTC's systems may make book-entry delivery of old notes by
causing DTC to transfer old notes into the exchange agent's account in
accordance with DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program procedures for transfer.
However, the exchange for the old notes so tendered will only be made after
timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of old notes into the exchange
agent's account, and timely receipt by the exchange agent of an agent's
message, transmitted by DTC and received by the exchange agent and forming a
part of a book-entry confirmation. The agent's message must state that DTC has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant tendering old notes
that are the subject of that book-entry confirmation that the participant has
received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and
that we may enforce the agreement against that participant.

     Although delivery of old notes may be effected through book-entry
transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, the letter of transmittal,
or a facsimile copy, properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees, must in any case be delivered to and received by the
exchange agent at its address listed under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to
the expiration date.

     If your old notes are held through DTC, you must complete a form called
"instructions to registered holder and/or book-entry participant," which will
instruct the DTC participant through whom you hold your notes of your
intention to tender your old notes or not tender your old notes. Please note
that delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with its procedures does not
constitute delivery to the exchange agent and we will not be able to accept
your tender of notes until the exchange agent receives a letter of transmittal
and a book-entry confirmation from DTC with respect to your notes. A copy of
that form is available from the exchange agent.



                                      28

<PAGE>


Guaranteed Delivery Procedures


     If you are a registered holder of old notes and you want to tender your
old notes but your old notes are not immediately available, or time will not
permit your old notes to reach the exchange agent before the expiration date,
or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, a tender may be effected if

          (1)   the tender is made through an eligible institution,

          (2) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives, by
     facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery, from that eligible
     institution a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal,
     or a facsimile copy, and notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in
     the form provided by us, stating:


     o    the name and address of the holder of old notes

     o    the amount of old notes tendered


     o    the tender is being made by delivering that notice and guaranteeing
          that within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
          date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery, the
          certificates of all physically tendered old notes, in proper form
          for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, will
          be deposited by that eligible institution with the exchange agent,
          and

          (3) the certificates for all physically tendered old notes, in proper
     form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, are
     received by the exchange agent within three New York Stock Exchange
     trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
     Delivery.


Withdrawal Rights


     You can withdraw your tender of old notes at any time on or prior to the
expiration date.

     For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the exchange agent at one of the addresses listed below under
"Exchange Agent." Any notice of withdrawal must specify:


     o    the name of the person having tendered the old notes to be withdrawn,

     o    the old notes to be withdrawn


     o    the principal amount of the old notes to be withdrawn

     o    if certificates for old notes have been delivered to the exchange
          agent, the name in which the old notes are registered, if different
          from that of the withdrawing holder

     o    if certificates for old notes have been delivered or otherwise
          identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of
          those certificates, you must also submit the serial numbers of the
          particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of
          withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution
          unless you are an eligible institution.

     o    if old notes have been tendered using the procedure for book-entry
          transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the
          name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the
          withdrawn old notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of that
          facility.

     Please note that all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and
time of receipt of notices of withdrawal will be determined by us, and our
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any old notes so
withdrawn will be considered not to have been validly tendered for exchange
for purposes of the exchange offer.



                                      29

<PAGE>



     If you have properly withdrawn old notes and wish to re-tender them, you
may do so by following one of the procedures described under "Procedures for
Tendering Old Notes" above at any time on or prior to the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

     Notwithstanding any other provisions of the exchange offer, we will not
be required to accept for exchange, or to issue new notes in exchange for, any
old notes and may terminate or amend the exchange offer, if at any time before
the acceptance of old notes for exchange or the exchange of the new notes for
old notes, that acceptance or issuance would violate applicable law or any
interpretation of the staff of the SEC.

     That condition is for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us
regardless of the circumstances giving rise to that condition. Our failure at
any time to exercise the foregoing rights shall not be considered a waiver by
us of that right. Our rights described in the prior paragraph are ongoing
rights which we may assert at any time and from time to time.

     In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and
no new notes will be issued in exchange for any old notes, if at that time any
stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to the exchange offer
to which this prospectus relates or the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act.


Exchange Agent

     The Bank of New York has been appointed as the exchange agent for the
exchange offer. All executed letters of transmittal should be directed to the
exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth below. Questions and requests
for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the
letter of transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery should
be directed to the exchange agent, addressed as follows:

                                  Deliver To:

                     The Bank of New York, Exchange Agent
                              101 Barclay Street
                                 Floor 7 East
                            New York New York 10286
                              Attn: Jennifer Pedi

                           Facsimile Transmissions:
                                (212) 815-6339

                            To Confirm by Telephone
                              or for Information:
                                (212) 815-6331


     Delivery to an address other than as listed above or transmission of
instructions via facsimile other than as listed above does not constitute a
valid delivery.


Fees and Expenses


     The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional
solicitation may be made by telegraph, telephone or in person by our officers,
regular employees and affiliates. We will not pay any additional compensation
to any of our officers and employees who engage in soliciting tenders. We will
not make any payment to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting acceptances of
the exchange offer. However, we will pay the exchange agent reasonable and
customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the exchange offer.



                                      30

<PAGE>




     The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer, including legal, accounting, SEC filing, printing and exchange
agent expenses, will be paid by us and are estimated in the aggregate to be
$            .


Transfer Taxes


     Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be obligated to
pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who
instruct us to register new notes in the name of, or request that old notes
not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person
other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment
of any applicable transfer tax thereon.


Resale of the New Notes


     Under existing interpretations of the staff of the SEC contained in
several no-action letters to third parties, the new notes would in general be
freely transferable after the exchange offer without further registration
under the Securities Act. The relevant no-action letters include the Exxon
Capital Holdings Corporation letter, which was made available by the SEC on
May 13, 1988, and the Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated letter, made available
on June 5, 1991.


     However, any purchaser of old notes who is an "affiliate" of CVS or who
intends to participate in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing
the new notes

     (1)  will not be able to rely on the interpretation of the staff of the
          SEC,

     (2)  will not be able to tender its old notes in the exchange offer and


     (3)  must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
          requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or
          transfer of the notes unless that sale or transfer is made using an
          exemption from those requirements.

     By executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, the Letter of Transmittal
each holder of the old notes will represent that:


     (1)  it is not our "affiliate";

     (2)  any new notes to be received by it were acquired in the ordinary
          course of its business; and


     (3)  it has no arrangement with any person to participate in the
          "distribution," within the meaning of the Securities Act, of the
          new notes.

In addition, in connection with any resales of new notes, any broker-dealer
participating in the exchange offer who acquired notes for its own account as
a result of market-making or other trading activities must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. The SEC has taken
the position in the Shearman & Sterling no- action letter, which it made
available on July 2, 1993, that participating broker-dealers may fulfill their
prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the new notes, other than a
resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the old notes, with
the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement. Under
the registration rights agreement, we are required to allow participating
broker-dealers and other persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus
delivery requirements to use this prospectus as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, in connection with the resale of new notes.



                                      31

<PAGE>



         MATERIAL UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

     In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, the exchange of old notes for
new notes in the exchange offer will not result in any United States federal
income tax consequences to holders. When a holder exchanges an old note for a
new note in the exchange offer, the holder will have the same adjusted basis
and holding period in the new note as in the old note immediately before the
exchange.


                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION


     Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in the
exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where
old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 135 days after the
expiration date, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of new
notes received by it in exchange for old notes.


     We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by
broker-dealers.


     New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account in the
exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions

     o    in the over-the-counter market

     o    in negotiated transactions

     o    through the writing of options on the new notes or

     o    a combination of those methods of resale

at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.

     Any resale may be made

     o    directly to purchasers or

     o    to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the
          form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the
          purchasers of any new notes.

     Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its
own account in the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates
in a distribution of those new notes may be considered to be an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on any resale of those
new notes and any commission or concessions received by any of those persons
may be considered to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.
The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be considered to
admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

     For a period of 135 days after the expiration date, we will promptly send
additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this
prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests those documents in the letter of
transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange
offer, including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the notes,
other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will



                                      32

<PAGE>



indemnify the holders of the notes, including any broker-dealers, against some
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York will opine for us on whether
the new notes are valid and binding obligations of CVS.


                                    EXPERTS


     The historical consolidated financial statements of CVS Corporation and
its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the three years
ended December 31, 1998 and the related consolidated financial statement
schedule have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance
upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and given upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.



                                       33

<PAGE>




<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                  <C>
     You should rely only on the information contained in this document or
that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone to provide you
with information that is different. We are not making an offer of these
where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the                               $300,000,000
securities in any state information in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front
of those documents.
                                                                                                   CVS

                                                                                               CORPORATION



               ----------------------                                                       [GRAPHIC OMITTED]



                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                          5 1/2% Exchange Notes due
                                                 Page                                          February 15, 2004
                                                 ----
                                                                                             -------------------
Where You Can Find More Information.................2
CVS Corporation.....................................3                                            Prospectus
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-
   Looking Statements...............................3                                        -------------------
Use of Proceeds.....................................4
Selected Consolidated Financial Data................5
Description of Notes................................7
The Exchange Offer.................................25
Certain United States Tax Consequences of the
   Exchange Offer..................................32
Plan of Distribution...............................32
Legal Matters......................................33
Experts............................................33




                                                                                                  , 1999

- -----------------------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




<PAGE>




                                    PART II
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 20.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Exculpation. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporations Law
("Delaware Law") permits a corporation to include in its certificate of
incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, for the payment of unlawful dividends, or for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

     The CVS certificate of incorporation (the "CVS Charter") limits the
personal liability of a director to CVS and its stockholders for monetary
damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent
permitted by law.

     Indemnification. Section 145 of the Delaware Law permits a corporation to
indemnify any of its directors or officers who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party to any third party proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation,
against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reason to believe that such person's conduct was
unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of a
corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify directors and officers
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit if
they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no
indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable
to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
directors or officers are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses despite such adjudication of liability.


     Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by any such person in
defending any such action, suit or proceeding shall be paid or reimbursed by
CVS in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt by it of an undertaking of such person to repay such expenses if
it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be
indemnified by CVS.


     The CVS Charter provides for indemnification of directors and officers of
CVS against liability they may incur in their capacities as such to the
fullest extent permitted under the Delaware Law.

     Insurance. CVS has in effect Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
with a limit of $100,000,000 and pension trust liability insurance with a
limit of $50,000,000. The pension trust liability insurance covers actions of
directors and officers as well as other employees with fiduciary
responsibilities under ERISA.

     Revco Directors and Officers. The Revco merger agreement provides that
CVS will cause Revco and its Subsidiaries to indemnify (including the payment
of reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) the current or former
directors or officers of Revco to the fullest extent permitted by law for
damages and liabilities arising out of facts and circumstances occurring at or
prior to the merger. The Revco merger agreement also provides that for a
period of six years after the merger CVS will cause to be maintained in effect
Revco's existing policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance as
in effect on February 6, 1997 (provided that CVS may substitute policies with
reputable and financially sound carriers having at least the same coverage and
amounts and containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous)
with respect to facts or circumstances occurring at or prior to the merger;
provided that if the annual premium for such insurance during such six-year
period exceeds 200% of the annual


                                     II-1

<PAGE>


premiums paid by Revco as of February 6, 1997 for such insurance (such 200%
amount, the "Maximum Premium") then CVS will cause Revco to provide the most
advantageous directors' and officers' insurance coverage then available for an
annual premium equal to the Maximum Premium.

     Arbor Directors and Officers. The Arbor merger agreement provides that
after the Effective Time (as defined in the Arbor merger agreement), CVS will
cause Arbor to indemnify (including the payment of reasonable fees and
expenses of legal counsel) each person who was a director or officer of Arbor
or its subsidiaries at or prior to the date of the Arbor merger agreement to
the fullest extent permitted by law for damages and liabilities arising out of
facts and circumstances occurring at or prior to the Effective Time. The Arbor
merger agreement also provides that, for a period of six years after the
Effective Time, CVS will maintain in effect Arbor's existing policies of
directors' and officers' liability insurance as in effect on February 8, 1998
(provided that CVS may substitute policies with reputable and financially
sound carriers having at least the same coverage and amounts and containing
terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the covered persons)
with respect to facts or circumstances occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time; provided that if the aggregate annual premium for such insurance during
such six-year period exceeds 200% of the aggregate annual premium paid by
Arbor as of February 8, 1998 for such insurance, then CVS will cause Arbor to
provide the most advantageous directors' and officers' insurance coverage then
available for an annual premium equal to such 200% of the February 8, 1998
premiums.

Item 21.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     (a)   Exhibits (see index to exhibits at E-1).

Item 22.  Undertakings

     (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.


                                     II-2

<PAGE>



     (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

     (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

     (d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests
for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant
to Item 4, 10(b) or 11 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.

     (e) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and CVS
being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the registration statement when it became effective.



                                     II-3

<PAGE>



                                  SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, CVS
Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this
amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Woonsocket, state of
Rhode Island, on June 25, 1999.


                                     CVS CORPORATION
                                     By: /s/ Thomas M. Ryan
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Thomas M. Ryan
                                        Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                        Executive Officer


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
amendment to the registration statement has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Signature                                 Title                              Date
               ---------                                 -----                              ----
<S>                                        <C>                                          <C>
          /s/  Thomas M. Ryan              Chairman of the Board and Chief              June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------       Executive Officer (Principal Executive
            Thomas M. Ryan                 Officer)

                   *                       Vice President and Controller                June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------       Principal Financial and Accounting
           Larry D. Solberg                Officer)

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
           Eugene Applebaum

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
          Allan J. Bloostein

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
            W. Don Cornwell

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 199
    --------------------------------
           Thomas P. Gerrity

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
         Stanley P. Goldstein

                                     II-4

<PAGE>



                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
           William H. Joyce

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
          Terry R. Lautenbach

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
            Terrence Murray
                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
          Sheli Z. Rosenberg

                   *                       Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
          Ivan G. Seidenberg

        * By: /s/  Thomas Ryan             Director                                     June 25, 1999
    --------------------------------
              Thomas Ryan
           Attorney-in-fact

</TABLE>



                                     II-5

<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                         Document
- ----------                          --------

    1.1*       Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 8,1999
               between CVS and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Bear,
               Stearns & Co. Inc. and BNY Capital Markets, Inc., as Initial
               Purchasers

    4.1*       Indenture, dated as of February 11, 1999 between CVS and the
               Trustee

    5.1        Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell with respect to the new notes

    8.1        Tax opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell (included in the prospectus)

   12.1*       Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   23.1        Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell (contained in their opinion
               filed as Exhibit 5.1).

   23.2        Consent of KPMG LLP.

   24.1*       Power of Attorney

   25.1*       Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York on Form T-1.

   99.1        Form of Letter of Transmittal

   99.2        Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

   99.3        Form of Letter to Clients

   99.4        Form of Letter to Nominees

   99.5        Form of Instructions to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry
               Transfer Participant from Owner

- ---------------
*  Previously filed.


                                      E-1



                                                                    Exhibit 5.1


                             DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL
                             450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                              NEW YORK, NY 10017
                                  212-450-4000



                                                     June 25, 1999


CVS Corporation
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, RI 02895

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as special counsel to CVS Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Company's offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange its 5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004
(the "New Notes") for any and all of its outstanding 5 1/2% Notes due February
15, 2004 (the "Old Notes").

         We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed
necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

         Upon the basis of the foregoing and assuming the due execution and
delivery of the New Notes, we are of the opinion that the New Notes, when
authenticated, issued and delivered in exchange for the Old Notes in accordance
with the Exchange Offer and the Indenture will be valid and binding obligations
of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms,
except (x) as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally,
(y) as such enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity,
regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity
and (z) to the extent that a waiver of rights under any usury or stay law may
be unenforceable.

         We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing
opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of
the





<PAGE>


CVS Corporation                        2                          June 25, 1999


United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer. We also consent to the
references to us under the captions "Legal Matters" and "Material United States
Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement.

         This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above
matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or
relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our prior written
consent except that The Bank of New York, as Exchange Agent for the Exchange
Offer, may rely upon this opinion as if it were addressed directly to it.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL


                                                                   Exhibit 23.2



                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


Board of Directors
CVS Corporation

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of our reports dated January 27, 1999, incorporated by reference in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of CVS Corporation for the year ended December 31,
1998.

                                             /s/ KPMG LLP
                                             ------------------------------
KPMG LLP

Providence, Rhode Island
June 24, 1999





                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                CVS CORPORATION


                             Offer to Exchange Its
                  5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004
                 (Registered Under The Securities Act of 1933)
                       For Any and All of Its Outstanding
                       5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004


                           Pursuant to the Prospectus
                              Dated June __, 1999


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
       NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON __________, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK


By Registered or Certified Mail:                  By Overnight Delivery or Hand:
     The Bank of New York                             The Bank of New York
      101 Barclay Street                               101 Barclay Street
         Floor 7 East                                     Floor 7 East
    New York New York 10286                          New York New York 10286
      Attn: Jennifer Pedi                              Attn: Jennifer Pedi

    To Confirm by Telephone                          Facsimile Transmissions:
      or for Information:                                 (212) 815-6339
        (212) 815-6331

     DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A
NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

     THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

     Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

     This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Notes (as
defined below) if Old Notes are to be forwarded herewith. If tenders of Old
Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The
Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC")
pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Book-Entry
Transfer" in the Prospectus and in accordance with the Automated


<PAGE>



Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") established by DTC, a tendering holder will
become bound by the terms and conditions hereof in accordance with the
procedures established under ATOP.

     Holders of Old Notes whose certificates (the "certificates") for such Old
Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates
and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
expiration date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete the
procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Old
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the Prospectus. SEE
INSTRUCTION 1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PROCEDURES
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.



                                       2

<PAGE>



                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

                    ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:

<TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES TENDERED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>                <C>
Name(s) and address(es) of Registered Holder(s)                          Old Notes Tendered
          (Please fill in, if blank)                            (attach additional list if necessary)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Principal Amount of
                                                         Certificate        Principal Amount   Old Notes Tendered
                                                          Number(s)*         of Old Notes*     (if less than all)**
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total Amount
                                                           Tendered
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
  *  Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
**   Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in denominations of $1,000
     and integral multiples thereof. All Old Notes held shall be deemed
     tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column.

           (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)


[ ]  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
     MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE
     THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Tendering Institution______________________________________________
     DTC Account Number_________________________________________________________
     Transaction Code Number____________________________________________________

[ ]  CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
     IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
     GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE
     THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Registered Holder(s)_______________________________________________
     Window Ticket Number (if any)______________________________________________
     Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery_________________________
     Name of Institution which Guaranteed_______________________________________
     If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:
     Name of Tendering Institution______________________________________________
     DTC Account Number_________________________________________________________
     Transaction Code Number____________________________________________________

[ ]  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD NOTES
     ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.



                                       3

<PAGE>




[ ]  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD NOTES FOR ITS
     OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
     "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES
     OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
     Name:______________________________________________________________________
     Address:___________________________________________________________________
             ___________________________________________________________________



                                       4

<PAGE>



Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned hereby tenders to CVS Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), the principal amount of the Company's 5 1/2% Notes due
February 15, 2004 (the "Old Notes") specified above in exchange for a like
aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February
15, 2004 (the "New Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Prospectus dated June __ , 1999 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is
acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the
Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer"). The Exchange Offer has been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

     Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended
or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the
Company all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes as are being
tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in connection with
the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Old Notes, with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in
the Prospectus, to (i) deliver certificates for Old Notes to the Company
together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the New Notes to be issued in exchange for such Old
Notes, (ii) present certificates for such Old Notes for transfer, and to
transfer the Old Notes on the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the
account of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD
NOTES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE, THE
COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE AND
CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE OLD
NOTES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. THE
UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
DEEMED BY THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO
COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD NOTES TENDERED
HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF
THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

     The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes
tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth
above, as they appear on the certificates representing such Old Notes. The
certificate number(s) and the Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender
should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.

     If any tendered Old Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
for any reason, or if certificates are submitted for more Old Notes than are
tendered or accepted for exchange, certificates for such unaccepted or
nonexchanged Old Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered
by book-entry transfer, such Old Notes will be credited to an account
maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following
the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

     The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any one
of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will, upon the
Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Notes, constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. In all cases in which a
Participant elects to accept the Exchange Offer by transmitting an express
acknowledgment in accordance with the established ATOP procedures, such
Participant shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Letter of
Transmittal. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set
forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange
any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.

     Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the New Notes be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Old Notes, that such New Notes be credited to the account indicated
above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute certificates representing
Old Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the
undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes, will be
credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please deliver New
Notes to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's
signature.


                                       5

<PAGE>



     By tendering Old Notes and executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, this
letter of transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that

     (i) the undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the Company,

     (ii) any New Notes to be received by the undersigned are being acquired in
the ordinary course of its business, and

     (iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the securities act) of
such New Notes.

     By tendering Old Notes pursuant to the exchange offer and executing, or
otherwise becoming bound by, this letter of transmittal, a holder of Old Notes
which is a broker-dealer represents and agrees, consistent with certain
interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Securities and Exchange Commission to third parties, that (a) such Old
Notes held by the broker-dealer are held only as a nominee, or (b) such Old
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver the
prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) meeting the
requirements of the securities act in connection with any resale of such New
Notes (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the securities act).

     The Company has agreed that, subject to the provisions of the Registration
Rights Agreement, the prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a participating broker-dealer (as defined below)
in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes,
where such Old Notes were acquired by such participating broker-dealer for its
own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, for a period ending 135 days after the expiration date (subject to
extension under certain limited circumstances) or, if earlier, when all such
New Notes have been disposed of by such participating broker-dealer. In that
regard, each broker dealer who acquired Old Notes for its own account as a
result of market-making or other trading activities (a "participating
broker-dealer"), by tendering such Old Notes and executing, or otherwise
becoming bound by, this letter of transmittal, agrees that, upon receipt of
notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any
fact which makes any statement contained in the prospectus untrue in any
material respect or which causes the prospectus to omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the
occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights
Agreement, such participating broker-dealer will suspend the sale of New Notes
pursuant to the prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented the
prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of
the amended or supplemented prospectus to the participating broker-dealer or
the Company has given notice that the sale of the New Notes may be resumed, as
the case may be. If the Company gives such notice to suspend the sale of the
New Notes, it shall extend the135-day period referred to above during which
participating broker-dealers are entitled to use the prospectus in connection
with the resale of New Notes by the number of days during the period from and
including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when
participating broker-dealers shall have received copies of the supplemented or
amended prospectus necessary to permit resales of the New Notes or to and
including the date on which the Company has given notice that the sale of New
Notes may be resumed, as the case may be.

     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.


                                       6

<PAGE>




                              HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                         (See Instructions 2, 5 and 6)
      (Note: Signature(s) Must be Guaranteed if Required by Instruction 2)

     Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
certificate(s) for the Old Notes hereby tendered or on a security position
listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by an
attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a
corporation or another acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please
set forth the signer's full title. See Instruction 5.


________________________________________________________________________________
                          (Signature(s) of Holder(s))

Date______________________________________________________________________, 1999

Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Capacity:_______________________________________________________________________
                              (Include Full Title)

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                               (Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
               (Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))


                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (See Instructions 2 and 5)

Authorized Signature____________________________________________________________

Name____________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Date______________________________________________________________________, 1999

Capacity or Title_______________________________________________________________

Name of Firm____________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________
                               (Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________


                                       7
<PAGE>







           SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
           (See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

     To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to
be issued in the name of someone other than the
registered holder of the Old Notes whose
name(s) appear(s) above.

     Issue New Notes to:

Name__________________________________________
                  (Please Print)

_______________________________________________

Address________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
                (Include Zip Code)

_______________________________________________
            (Taxpayer Identification or
              Social Security Number)



           SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
           (See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

     To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to
be sent to someone other than the holder of the Old
Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above, or to such
registered holder(s) at an address other than that
shown above.

     Mail New Notes to:

Name__________________________________________
                  (Please Print)

_______________________________________________

Address________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
                (Include Zip Code)

_______________________________________________
            (Taxpayer Identification or
              Social Security Number)


                                       8
<PAGE>



                                  INSTRUCTIONS
         Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer

     1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed if certificates are
to be forwarded herewith. If tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures
for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Book- Entry
Transfer" in the Prospectus and in accordance with ATOP established by DTC, a
tendering holder will become bound by the terms and conditions hereof in
accordance with the procedures established under ATOP. Certificates, or timely
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), if required, properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its
addresses set forth herein on or prior to the expiration date. Old Notes may be
tendered in whole or in part in the principal amount of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000.

     Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes and this
Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the expiration date
or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer
on a timely basis, may tender their Old Notes by properly completing and duly
executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in
the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly completed
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile) thereof and Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Company,
must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the expiration date; and
(iii) the certificates (or a book-entry confirmation (as defined in the
Prospectus)) representing all tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer,
must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange
trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
all as provided in "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the
Prospectus.

     The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by telegram, telex, facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For
Old Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on
or prior to the expiration date. As used herein and in the Prospectus,
"Eligible Institution" means a firm which is a member of a registered national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States.

     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER.
IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD
NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.

     The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), or any Agent's Message in lieu thereof, waives any right to
receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.

      2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:

          (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder
     (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant
     in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
     the Old Notes) of Old Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has
     completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the
     box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or

          (ii) such Old Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an
     Eligible Institution.



                                       9

<PAGE>




     In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

      3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Notes" is inadequate, the certificate number(s) and/or the
principal amount of Old Notes and any other required information should be
listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of
Transmittal.

      4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Old Notes will be
accepted only in the principal amount of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
If less than all the Old Notes evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be
tendered, fill in the principal amount of Old Notes which are to be tendered in
the box entitled "Principal Amount of Old Notes Tendered (if less than all)."
In such case, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Notes that were
evidenced by your old certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of the Old
Note, promptly after the expiration date. All Old Notes represented by
certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered unless otherwise indicated.

     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the expiration date. In order for a withdrawal to be
effective on or prior to that time, a written notice of withdrawal must be
timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above
or in the Prospectus on or prior to the expiration date. Any such notice of
withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be
withdrawn, identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal
amount of such Old Notes) and (where certificates for Old Notes have been
transmitted) specify the name in which such Old Notes are registered, if
different from that of the withdrawing holder. If certificates for the Old
Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then
prior to the release of such certificates, the withdrawing holder must submit
the serial numbers of the particular certificates for the Old Notes to be
withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, unless such holder is an Eligible Institution. If Old
Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set
forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Book-Entry Transfer," any
notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to
be credited with the withdrawal of Old Notes and otherwise comply with the
procedures of such facility. Old Notes properly withdrawn will not be deemed
validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at
any time on or prior to the expiration date by following one of the procedures
described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes."

     All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, whose
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes which
have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will
be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case
of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC pursuant to the book-entry procedures described in the Prospectus under
"The Exchange Offer--Book-Entry Transfer" such Old Notes will be credited to an
account maintained with DTC for the Old Notes) as soon as practicable after
withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.

     5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the
name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

     If any tendered Old Notes are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different
registrations of certificates.


                                       10

<PAGE>



     If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or powers of attorney
are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and,
unless waived by the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of
such persons' authority to so act must be submitted.

     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of
the Old Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
certificate(s) or written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange are
required unless New Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than
the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such certificate(s) or written
instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.

     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Old Notes listed, the certificates must be endorsed
or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange,
in satisfactory form as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and
executed by the registered holder(s), in either case signed exactly as the name
or names of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificates. Signatures
on such certificates or written instrument or instruments of transfer or
exchange must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

      6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If New Notes are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if New Notes are to be sent to someone other than the signer of
this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the
appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if
tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.

      7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion,
all questions as to the form, validity, eligibility (including time of receipt)
and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Notes, which determination
shall be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject
any and all tenders of any particular Old Notes not properly tendered or to not
accept any particular Old Notes which acceptance might, in the judgment of the
Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right, in its sole discretion, to waive any defects or irregularities or
conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Old Notes either before
or after the expiration date (including the right to waive the ineligibility of
any holder who seeks to tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer). The
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any
particular Old Notes either before or after the expiration date (including the
Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the Company shall be
final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities
in connection with the tender of Old Notes for exchange must be cured within
such reasonable period of time as the Company shall determine. Neither the
Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to
give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of
Old Notes for exchange, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure
to give such notification.

      8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its
address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of
Transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery and the Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent
or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

      9. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any certificate(s)
representing Old Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should
promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to
the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate(s). This
Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen certificate(s) have been
followed.

     10. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Old Notes for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith, except that holders who instruct the Company to register New Notes
in the name of or request that Old Notes not tendered or not accepted in the
Exchange Offer to be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering
holder will be responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax
thereon.

         IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF),


                                       11

<PAGE>



         OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
                DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT
                      ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.



                                       12


                                                                    Exhibit 99.2


                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

                                 For Tender Of

                       5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004
                                       of
                                CVS Corporation

     This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or one substantially equivalent hereto
must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for the Company's (as defined below) 5 1/2% Notes due February 15,
2004 (the "Old Notes") are not immediately available, (ii) Old Notes, the
Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal cannot be delivered to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent")
on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus referred to
below) or (iii) the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a
timely basis. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
sent by facsimile transmission, overnight courier, telex, telegram or mail to
the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange Offer - Guaranteed Delivery Procedures"
in the Prospectus dated June __, 1999 (which, together with the related Letter
of Transmittal, constitutes the "Exchange Offer") of CVS Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                 The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK


       By Hand or                  Facsimile                   By Registered
  Overnight Delivery:            Transmissions:              Or Certified Mail:
                          (Eligible Institutions Only)
   The Bank of New York                                    The Bank of New York
   101 Barclay Street            (212) 815-6339             101 Barclay Street
      Floor 7 East                                            Floor 7 East
New York New York 10286      To Confirm by Telephone     New York New York 10286
  Attn: Jennifer Pedi        or for Information Call:      Attn: Jennifer Pedi

                                 (212) 815-6331


<PAGE>


     DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA A
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

     THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE
SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE
GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL.


                                       2

<PAGE>


                   THE FOLLOWING GUARANTEE MUST BE COMPLETED

                             GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY

                    (Not to be used for Signature Guarantee)



     The undersigned, a firm which is a member of a registered national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States, hereby guarantees to deliver to the
Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above, either the
certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes, in proper form for
transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes to the
Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to
the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either
case together with any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal,
within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution
of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

     The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Old Notes tendered
hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth above and that
failure to do so could result in a financial loss to the undersigned.

Name of Firm:______________________       ______________________________________
                                          (Authorized Signature)

Address:___________________________       Title:________________________________
___________________________________       Name:_________________________________
                      (Zip Code)               (Please type or print)

Area Code and Telephone Number:           Date:_________________________________

___________________________________

NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD NOTES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. ACTUAL
SURRENDER OF OLD NOTES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A
PROPERLY COMPLETED AND FULLY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.


                                       3



                                                                    Exhibit 99.3


                               Offer to Exchange
                  5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004
                 (Registered Under The Securities Act of 1933)
                          for Any and All Outstanding
                       5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004
                                       of
                                CVS CORPORATION


                                To Our Clients:

     Enclosed is a Prospectus, dated June __, 1999, of CVS Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and a related Letter of Transmittal
(which together constitute the "Exchange Offer") relating to the offer by the
Company to exchange its 5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004 (the "New
Notes"), pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), for a like principal amount of its issued
and outstanding 5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004 (the "Old Notes") upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer.

     Please note that the Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on __________, unless extended.

     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Old Notes
being tendered.

     We are the holder of record and/or participant in the book-entry transfer
facility of Old Notes held by us for your account. A tender of such Old Notes
can be made only by us as the record holder and/or participant in the
book-entry transfer facility and pursuant to your instructions. The Letter of
Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and cannot be used by
you to tender Old Notes held by us for your account.

     We request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all of the
Old Notes held by us for your account pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Exchange Offer. We also request that you confirm that we may on your behalf
make the representations contained in the Letter of Transmittal.

     Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Old Notes will
represent to the Company that (i) the holder is not an "affiliate" of the
Company,



<PAGE>


(ii) any New Notes to be received by the holder are being acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, and (iii) the holder has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. If the tendering holder is a
broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in exchange for
Old Notes, we will represent on behalf of such broker-dealer that the Old Notes
to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired by it as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, and acknowledge on behalf
of such broker-dealer that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New
Notes. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Notes, such broker-dealer is not deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.


                                    Very truly yours,



                                       2




                                                                    Exhibit 99.4


                               Offer to Exchange
                  5 1/2% Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004
                 (Registered under the Securities Act of 1933)
                          for Any and All Outstanding
                       5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004
                                       of
                                CVS Corporation


                    To Registered Holders and The Depository
                          Trust Company Participants:


     Enclosed are the materials listed below relating to the offer by CVS
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to exchange its 5 1/2%
Exchange Notes due February 15, 2004 (the "New Notes"), pursuant to an offering
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding 5 1/2% Notes due
February 15, 2004 (the "Old Notes") upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Company's Prospectus, dated June __, 1999, and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer").

     Enclosed herewith are copies of the following documents:

     1. Prospectus dated June __, 1999;

     2. Letter of Transmittal;

     3. Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;

     4. Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Participant
        from Owner; and

     5. Letter which may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold Old
        Notes in your name or in the name of your nominee, to accompany the
        instruction form referred to above, for obtaining such client's
        instruction with regard to Exchange Offer.



<PAGE>


     We urge you to contact your clients promptly. Please note that the
Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ________ unless
extended.

     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Old Notes
being tendered.

     Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Old Notes will
represent to the Company that (i) the holder is not an "affiliate" of the
Company, (ii) any New Notes to be received by it are being acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, and (iii) the holder has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. If the tendering holder is a
broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in exchange for
Old Notes, you will represent on behalf of such broker-dealer that the Old
Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired by it as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, and acknowledge on behalf
of such broker-dealer that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New
Notes. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Notes, such broker-dealer is not deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

     The enclosed Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer
Participant from Owner contains an authorization by the beneficial owners of
the Old Notes for you to make the foregoing representations.

     The Company will not pay any fee or commission to any broker or dealer or
to any other persons (other than the Exchange Agent) in connection with the
solicitation of tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The
Company will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the transfer
of Old Notes to it, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 10 of the
enclosed Letter of Transmittal.

     Additional copies of the enclosed material may be obtained from the
undersigned.

                               Very truly yours,

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK


NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU THE
AGENT OF CVS CORPORATION OR THE BANK OF NEW YORK OR AUTHORIZE YOU TO USE ANY
DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON THEIR BEHALF IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE


                                       2

<PAGE>


OFFER OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE
STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.


                                       3




                                                                    Exhibit 99.5


                    INSTRUCTION TO REGISTERED HOLDER AND/OR
              BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY PARTICIPANT FROM OWNER
                                       OF
                                CVS CORPORATION


                       5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004
                               (the "Old Notes")


To Registered Holder and/or Participant of the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility:


     The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated June
__, 1999 (the "Prospectus") of CVS Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), that together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange
Offer"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings as
ascribed to them in the Prospectus or the Letter of Transmittal.

     This will instruct you, the registered holder and/or book-entry transfer
facility participant, as to the action to be taken by you relating to the
Exchange Offer with respect to the Old Notes held by you for the account of the
undersigned.

     The aggregate face amount of the Old Notes held by you for the account of
the undersigned is (fill in amount):

     $___________ of the 5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004

     With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you
(check appropriate box):

[ ] To TENDER the following Old Notes held by you for the account of the
undersigned (insert principal amount of Old Notes to be tendered, if any):

     $___________ of the 5 1/2% Notes due February 15, 2004



<PAGE>


[ ]| NOT to TENDER any Old Notes held by you for the account of the
undersigned.

     If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Old Notes held by you for
the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are authorized to
make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its signature
below, hereby makes to you), the representations and warranties contained in
the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the undersigned
as a beneficial owner, including but not limited to the representations, that
(i) the holder is not an "affiliate" of the Company, (ii) any New Notes to be
received by the holder are being acquired in the ordinary course of its
business, and (iii) the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such New Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive
New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, it represents that
such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, and it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of such New Notes, such broker-dealer is not deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.


                                       2

<PAGE>


                                   SIGN HERE


Name of beneficial owner(s):____________________________________________________

Signature(s):___________________________________________________________________

Name(s) (please print):_________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number:_______________________________________________________________

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:______________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________________________________








                                       3


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