Cardinal Health

Type: Public (NYSE: CAH)
Founded: 1971
Headquarters: Dublin, Ohio, USA
Key people: Robert D. Walter, Chairman; R. Kerry Clark, President and CEO
Industry: Drug Wholesale
Products: hospital / laboratory / physician office products; generic pharmaceuticals; logistics; infusion systems; clinical services
Website: www.cardinalhealth.com

General Information

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a global company serving the health-care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients.

With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing systems, MedMined® data mining software and the CareFusion® patient identification system.

The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide.

Founded in 1971 as Cardinal Foods by Robert D. Walter, it was initially a food wholesaler. Acquiring the Bailey Drug Company in 1979, it began wholesaling drugs as Cardinal Distribution, Incorporated. Following the introduction of the company on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 1983 it commenced on a long string of acquisitions and mergers. As of 2006, it was ranked 19th on the Fortune 500 list and employs more than 40,000 people on five continents.

R. Kerry Clark was appointed as President and CEO on 17 April 2006, with Robert D. Walter retaining the Chairmanship.

On 28 June 2007, Cardinal Health announced the completion of the tendor offer for VIASYS. The acquisition of VIASYS expands Cardinal Health’s clinical and medical product offerings for global, acute-care customers and, will establish the company as a leader in the more than $4 billion respiratory care market. The business will be integrated into Cardinal Health’s Medical Products Manufacturing segment.