CARDINAL HEALTH INC (CAH) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
Business
Business
General
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare services and products company providing customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. We provide medical products and pharmaceuticals and cost-effective solutions that enhance the healthcare system and supply chain efficiency.
Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions Segment
In the United States, our Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment:
▪through its Pharmaceutical Distribution businesses:
•distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products to retailers (including chain and independent drug stores and pharmacy departments of supermarkets and mass merchandisers), hospitals, and other healthcare providers;
▪maintains prime vendor relationships that streamline the purchasing process, resulting in greater efficiency and lower costs for our retail, hospital, and other healthcare provider customers;
▪provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers, including distribution, inventory management, data reporting, new product launch support, and chargeback administration;
▪distributes specialty pharmaceutical products to hospitals and other healthcare providers and provides consulting, patient support, and other services for specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers;
▪provides pharmacy management services to hospitals and operates a limited number of pharmacies, including in community health centers; and
▪repackages generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare products.
▪through its Specialty businesses:
▪distributes specialty pharmaceutical products to hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and other healthcare providers and provides consulting, patient support, and other services for specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers;
▪provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers, including distribution, inventory management, data reporting, new product launch support, and chargeback administration;
▪provides support and management services to physician practices through our MSO platforms; and
▪through Biopharma Solutions, we provide data analytics and insight services to biopharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers.
See Note 14 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for Pharma segment revenue, profit, and assets for fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Pharmaceutical and Specialty Pharmaceutical Distribution and Services
Our Pharmaceutical Distribution businesses' gross margin includes margin from our generic pharmaceutical program, from distribution services agreements with branded pharmaceutical manufacturers, including manufacturers of Specialty pharmaceutical products, and from over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products. It also includes manufacturer cash discounts.
Margin from our generic pharmaceutical program includes price discounts, rebates, and service fees from manufacturers and may, in limited instances, include price appreciation. Our earnings on generic pharmaceuticals are generally highest during the period immediately following the initial launch of a product, because generic pharmaceutical selling prices are generally highest during that period and tend to decline over time.
Margin from distribution services agreements with branded pharmaceutical manufacturers is derived from compensation we receive for providing a range of distribution and related services to manufacturers. Our compensation typically is a percentage of the wholesale acquisition cost that is set by manufacturers. In addition, under a limited number of agreements, branded pharmaceutical price appreciation, which is determined by the manufacturers, also serves as part of our compensation.
Specialty pharmaceutical products include oncology, rheumatology, urology, nephrology, and other pharmaceutical products. Through our Specialty businesses', we also distribute human-derived plasma products to hospitals, dialysis clinics, physician offices, and other healthcare providers. Our use of the term “specialty pharmaceutical products” may not be comparable to the terminology used by other industry participants. We also provide consulting, patient support, logistics, group purchasing, and other services to pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and physician practices.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Health | Fiscal 2025 Form 10-K | 25 |
Business
Sourcing Venture with CVS Health Corporation
Red Oak Sourcing, LLC ("Red Oak Sourcing"), a U.S.-based generic pharmaceutical sourcing venture with CVS Health,
negotiates generic pharmaceutical supply contracts on behalf of both companies. The term of Red Oak Sourcing extends through June 2029.
Global Medical Products and Distribution Segment
Our GMPD segment manufactures and sources Cardinal Health branded general and specialty medical, surgical, and laboratory products and devices. These products include exam and surgical gloves; needle, syringe, and sharps disposal; compression; incontinence; nutritional delivery; wound care; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparel; fluid suction and collection systems; urology; operating room supply; and electrode product lines. Our Cardinal Health brand products are sold directly or through third-party distributors in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and other markets. These Cardinal Health brand products are generally
higher-margin products. The GMPD segment also distributes a broad range of medical, surgical, and laboratory products known as national brand products. In addition, this segment provides supply chain services and solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers in the United States and Canada. This segment also assembles and sells sterile and non-sterile procedure kits.
The GMPD segment, through its Wavemark division, also provides an automated technology platform for inventory management.
Other Operating Segments
Our Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions operating segment operates nuclear pharmacies and manufacturing facilities, which manufacture, prepare, and deliver radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear imaging, theranostics, and other procedures in hospitals and physician offices. This segment also contract manufactures a radiopharmaceutical treatment (Xofigo®) and holds the North American rights to manufacture and distribute Lymphoseek®, a radiopharmaceutical diagnostic imaging agent.
Our at-Home Solutions operating segment has two main businesses: Edgepark, including ADS, directly providing medical
supplies to patients with chronic conditions in the home; and at-Home, a business-to-business distribution service that delivers medical supplies and over-the-counter products to home medical equipment providers, home health and hospice agencies, and e-commerce providers.
Our OptiFreight® Logistics operating segment supports the shipping and logistics needs of healthcare providers by optimizing direct shipments through integrated technology solutions. This segment serves hospitals, pharmacies, labs, and surgery centers.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 26 | Cardinal Health | Fiscal 2025 Form 10-K |
Business
Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions
We have recently made a number of acquisitions in key strategic areas, including our specialty offerings and managed service organizations. We expect to continue to explore acquisitions and strategic investments in the future.
In April 2025, we completed the acquisition of ADS, a diabetes medical supplies provider to patients in the home, for a purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
In January 2025, we completed the acquisition of an approximately 73 percent ownership interest in GIA, a gastroenterology management services organization, for a purchase price of approximately $2.8 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Additionally, in May 2025, we, through GIA, completed the acquisition of Urology America, a urology management services organization, for a purchase price of $360 million in cash and GIA equity, subject to certain adjustments.
In December 2024, we completed the acquisition of ION, a physician-led independent community oncology network, for a purchase price of $1.1 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments.
In March 2024, we completed the acquisition of Specialty Networks, a technology-enabled multi-specialty group purchasing and practice enhancement organization, for $1.2 billion in cash. We have also completed several smaller acquisitions during this timeframe.
| Date | Company | Location | Linesof Business | AcquisitionPrice(in billions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/30/25 | Urology America MSO, LLC | TX, CO, LA, TN | Urology management services organization (MSO) | $0.4 |
| 04/01/25 | Advanced Diabetes Supply Group ("ADS") | Carlsbad, CA | Diabetic medical supplies providers | $1.1 |
| 01/30/25 | GI Alliance ("GIA") | TX | Gastroenterology management services organization (MSO) | $2.8 |
| 12/02/24 | Integrated Oncology Network ("ION") | Nashville, TN | Medical oncology, radiation oncology, urology diagnostic testing, and other ancillary services (MSO) | $1.1 |
| 03/18/24 | Specialty Networks | Cleveland, OH | UroGPO, Gastrologix, GastroGPO, and United Rheumatology. | $1.2 |
Divestitures
We also complete divestitures from time to time, and we may explore additional divestitures in the future.
In June 2023, we signed a definitive agreement to contribute our Outcomes™ business to Transaction Data Systems ("TDS"), a portfolio company of BlackRock Long Term Private Capital and GTCR, in exchange for a minority stake in the combined entity. The transaction closed in July 2023.