Who Owns Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy?
Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy is owned by Cardinal Health, a publicly traded American healthcare company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy operates as a wholly-owned division of Cardinal Health, providing specialty pharmaceutical distribution and services to specialty pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the United States.
Parent Company
Cardinal Health
Founded
2010
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Dublin, Ohio, USA
Who Owns Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy?
- Parent Company: Cardinal Health
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: CAH
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy | Cardinal Health | Wholly owned |
History of Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy
- Founded: 2010
- Founders: Cardinal Health (internal development)
Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy was established in 2010 as Cardinal Health's dedicated specialty pharmaceutical distribution division. The division was created to serve the growing demand for specialty pharmaceutical services from specialty pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers managing complex and high-cost medications.
In June 2010, Cardinal Health announced plans to purchase Healthcare Solutions Holding, a specialty pharmaceutical services company, for $517 million. This acquisition significantly expanded Cardinal Health's specialty pharmacy capabilities and established a foundation for the specialty pharmacy division.
Throughout the 2010s, Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy expanded its service offerings and customer base, becoming one of the nation's largest specialty healthcare distributors. The division developed specialized expertise in serving specialty pharmacies, oncology centers, and healthcare providers managing complex patient populations.
The division invested in advanced technology platforms, clinical support services, and patient assistance programs to support specialty pharmacies and healthcare providers. Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy established itself as a trusted partner for specialty pharmaceutical distribution and management.
In recent years, Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy has focused on expanding its clinical services, enhancing patient outcomes, and providing comprehensive support to specialty pharmacies and healthcare providers. The division continues to grow its partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare systems.
About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health operates through several key business segments focused on healthcare distribution and services. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals to pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the United States and internationally.
The Medical segment manufactures and distributes medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical gowns, and other medical supplies. The company also operates nuclear pharmacies that prepare and deliver radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging and cancer treatment.
Cardinal Health provides various healthcare technology solutions, including pharmacy management systems, supply chain management tools, and data analytics platforms. The company has expanded into at-home healthcare services, delivering medical supplies and pharmaceuticals directly to patients' homes.
Cardinal Health employs approximately 47,000 people worldwide and generates annual revenues exceeding $180 billion. The company serves pharmacies, hospitals, healthcare systems, and manufacturers across the United States and select international markets.
- Founded: 1971
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ohio, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: CAH
Where Is Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ohio, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Brands Owned by Cardinal Health
- Cardinal Health At-Home - At-home healthcare solutions provider delivering medical supplies, equipment, an...
- Cardinal Health Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions - Radiopharmaceutical and nuclear medicine solutions provider offering PET and SPE...
- Edgepark Medical Supplies - Direct-to-consumer medical supply provider offering home medical equipment, mobi...
Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Serves 90%+ of US health systems and 20,000+ specialty physician practices
- +Comprehensive specialty pharmaceutical distribution network
- +Advanced technology platforms for specialty pharmacy management
- +Clinical support services and patient assistance programs
- +Strong relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers
- +Significant scale enabling operational efficiencies and competitive pricing
Considerations
- -Regulatory oversight of specialty pharmaceutical distribution
- -Complex compliance requirements for controlled and specialty substances
- -Competition from other specialty pharmaceutical distributors
- -Dependency on Cardinal Health's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Pressure on specialty pharmacy margins from healthcare cost containment
- -Limited flexibility in certain operational decisions due to corporate structure
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mckesson | USA | 1994 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Mckesson | USA | 1987 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors

Biologics by McKesson
Owned by McKesson Corporation
Independent specialty pharmacy providing personalized patient care for oncology and rare disease treatments owned by McKesson Corporation.

McKesson Medical-Surgical
Owned by McKesson Corporation
Medical supplies and equipment distribution brand providing healthcare products to physician offices, hospitals, and home health agencies owned by McKesson Corporation.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Cardinal Health Specialty Pharmacy competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Cardinal Health Stock Information
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