Who Owns McKesson Medical-Surgical?

McKesson Medical-Surgical operates under McKesson Corporation's sustainability framework. McKesson has committed to science-based emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline. For Scope 3, McKesson targets that 70% of suppliers by spend will have SBTi-approved reduction targets by 2027.

In fiscal 2025, nine McKesson facilities achieved Green Building Standards (GBS) certification, the company's internal framework for energy efficiency, water conservation, and occupant wellness. McKesson has invested in renewable energy through Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs), including a partnership with Recurrent Energy's 100-MWac Liberty Solar plant in Liberty County, Texas.

For cold chain logistics, McKesson uses a reusable packaging system that reduces waste while maintaining temperature control for pharmaceuticals and temperature-sensitive medical supplies. The system includes reusable outer shells, inner linings, and phase change materials that maintain 2-8 degrees Celsius for up to 24 hours. McKesson has also piloted electric delivery vehicles and implemented route optimization software to reduce transportation emissions.

McKesson Medical-Surgical does not hold independent sustainability certifications. The division's environmental impact is primarily driven by its distribution operations: warehouse energy use, transportation fuel consumption, and packaging waste. McKesson reports on these metrics at the corporate level in its annual ESG report.

McKesson Corporation is not a B Corporation. The company does not have specific third-party ethical certifications for its distribution operations, but it adheres to FDA, DEA, and state regulatory requirements for medical device and pharmaceutical distribution.

McKesson Corporation has received recognition for its corporate sustainability and healthcare leadership. The company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in 2024. McKesson's SBTi-approved climate targets have been recognized by CDP, which awarded the company a B score for climate change disclosure in 2024.

McKesson was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute in 2024, though it was not included in the 2025 or 2026 lists. The company's health equity initiatives, including pilot programs in Avondale, Ohio to improve pharmacy access in underserved communities, have received recognition from healthcare industry organizations.

McKesson Medical-Surgical as a division does not receive separate industry awards. Its recognition comes through McKesson Corporation's overall rankings, including its position on the Fortune 500 (number 9 in 2025) and its inclusion on Forbes' list of America's Best Employers.

Opioid Distribution Settlement (2024): In August 2024, McKesson, along with Cencora and Cardinal Health, agreed to a $300 million class action settlement resolving allegations from health insurers and benefit plans regarding the distributors' role in the opioid epidemic. The settlement covered third-party payers that paid for overprescribed opioids and subsequent addiction treatment. The distributors did not admit wrongdoing. This was separate from the larger $21 billion national opioid settlement that McKesson, Cencora, and Cardinal Health agreed to in 2022.

Suspicious Orders Settlement (2017): McKesson agreed to pay a record $150 million to resolve allegations of failing to report suspicious orders of controlled substances to the DEA. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey announced the settlement. McKesson also agreed to enhanced compliance measures, including multi-year audits of its controlled substance distribution. This settlement was resolved and the compliance program is ongoing.

Kickback Lawsuit (2024): In March 2024, a federal appeals court revived a whistleblower lawsuit accusing McKesson of providing drug pricing tools to doctors for free to induce them to purchase drugs from the company. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the case to proceed. As of 2026, the case is still in litigation. McKesson has denied the allegations.

Generic Drug Price-Fixing Settlement: McKesson reached a $141 million settlement resolving allegations it misled investors about profits from a price-fixing conspiracy among generic drug manufacturers. The settlement was paid by the company's insurers and disclosed in an SEC filing. The matter is resolved.

Note: These controversies relate to McKesson Corporation's pharmaceutical distribution business, not specifically to the Medical-Surgical division. However, they affect the corporate reputation under which McKesson Medical-Surgical operates.