Cardinal Health

What Cardinal Health does

Cardinal Health, Inc. is a U.S.-headquartered, publicly traded (NYSE: CAH) healthcare products and services company founded in 1971 and domiciled in Dublin, Ohio. The company operates as one of the largest pharmaceutical and medical product distributors in the United States, serving acute-care hospitals, health systems, independent retail pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, specialty physician practices (oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, nephrology), long-term care facilities, nuclear medicine providers, home-care and hospice agencies, biopharmaceutical manufacturers, and federal agencies including the VA and DoD. Its portfolio spans pharmaceutical distribution, medical products distribution (surgical, infection control, PPE, wound care, patient monitoring), specialty pharmaceutical services, nuclear and precision health solutions including radiopharmaceutical manufacturing (with Actinium-225 production scaled to approximately four times end-of-2024 weekly output), at-home medical equipment, and third-party logistics for biopharma manufacturers.

The company's technology stack includes the Outcomes™ patient engagement and specialty pharmacy platform, WaveMark™ supply chain and inventory optimization, OptiFreight® logistics with temperature-controlled capabilities, Presource® procedural packs, Intelogix™ pharmacy management, Nuctrac™ theranostics management, Velocare™ distributed supply chain, and the Kinaxis Maestro platform for AI-driven planning. The portfolio also features medical device brands such as Kendall, Kangaroo, Monoject, T.E.D., and Argyle, plus acquired specialty-care assets including Integrated Oncology Network, Solaris Health, GI Alliance, Specialty Networks, and Advanced Diabetes Supply.

Cardinal Health's business model is primarily transactional distribution (transaction-fee economics) on a $256.24B FY2026 guided revenue base, augmented by 3PL managed services and specialty practice service revenue. The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to healthcare providers through field sales teams and account managers, supported by industry conferences, thought-leadership content, and customer education programs. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated by contract. Cardinal Health has executed a sustained specialty-care M&A program since 2024 — including ION ($1.12B), Specialty Networks ($1.2B), Advanced Diabetes Supply ($1.1B), GI Alliance ($2.8B), and Solaris Health ($1.9B) — to build a vertically integrated specialty platform alongside its legacy pharmaceutical and medical distribution franchises.

Name

Cardinal Health

Legal name

Cardinal Health, Inc.

Website

https://cardinalhealth.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Cardinal Health is a U.S. pharmaceutical and medical product distributor serving hospitals, pharmacies, specialty physician practices, and home-care providers through integrated supply chain, specialty, nuclear medicine, and at-home solutions across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical and Medical Product Distribution

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiopharmaceutical & Nuclear Medicine Distributors (HLAIAJAI)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical distribution
• Medical supply distribution
• Specialty pharmacy services
• Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Healthcare logistics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Distribution: Core pharmaceutical distribution business providing brand pharmaceuticals, specialty products, and generics to healthcare providers, hospitals, and retail pharmacies. Revenue generated through product distribution fees and margins on pharmaceutical products.
2. Medical Products Distribution: Distribution of medical supplies including surgical products, infection control, PPE, gloves, wound care, and patient monitoring equipment to healthcare facilities.
3. Specialty Solutions: Specialty pharmaceutical distribution including oncology, biologics, and advanced therapies. Includes services for specialty physician practices with revenue from distribution and related services.
4. Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions: Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, and nuclear medicine services including FDA-approved radiopharmaceuticals and contract manufacturing.
5. At-Home Solutions: Home medical equipment and supplies including diabetes supplies, home health products, and hospice solutions distributed to patients and caregivers.
6. Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services: Contract logistics services for biopharma manufacturers including warehousing, packaging, serialization, cold chain management, and distribution services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cardinal Health is a manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical products, supplying brand and generic drugs, specialty pharmaceuticals, medical-surgical supplies, and radiopharmaceuticals to healthcare providers across more than 100 countries. It also operates specialty pharmacy hub services (Outcomes™), at-home medical equipment distribution, nuclear pharmacy services, and 3PL contract logistics for biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Product overview

Cardinal Health operates as a healthcare solutions provider with a diversified portfolio spanning medical products, pharmaceutical distribution, and services. The product portfolio includes Presource® Procedural Packs and Solutions (customized surgical packs), Kendall DL Multi System (patient monitoring), and Kangaroo OMNI™ Enteral Feeding Pump (enteral nutrition). The company offers specialty pharmacy and distribution services through Outcomes™ platform, Intelogix™ Platform (supply chain analytics), and WaveMark™ Solutions (inventory management). Acquired brands include ScalaMed (smart prescription management) and Atrix™ Ally (patient support). The portfolio architecture is organized around core product categories (medical supplies, patient monitoring, enteral feeding), platform solutions (Outcomes™, Intelogix™, Advanced Therapy Navigator), and specialized sub-brands for niche healthcare needs. The company also provides radiopharmaceutical products through Nuctrac™ and 3PL/pharmaceutical packaging services for biopharma manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Outcomes™: Healthcare outcomes and analytics platform division
• Presource®
• Kendall™
• WaveMark™
• OptiFreight®
• Kinaxis
• Dispill®
• Kangaroo™
• Monoject™
• T.E.D.™
• Argyle™
• Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical Distribution Wholesale distribution of brand and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty drugs, and over-the-counter products to hospitals, health systems, retail pharmacies, and other healthcare providers across the United States and globally.
• Medical Products Distribution Distribution of medical-surgical supplies including surgical products, infection control products, personal protective equipment, gloves, wound care, and patient monitoring equipment to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other healthcare facilities.
• Specialty Solutions Distribution Specialty pharmaceutical distribution including oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, nephrology, biologics, and advanced therapies, with services for specialty physician practices including practice management, specialty pharmacy, and revenue cycle management.
• Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, and nuclear medicine services including FDA-approved radiopharmaceuticals, PET/SPECT products, theranostics, and contract manufacturing services for nuclear medicine facilities.
• At-Home Solutions Home medical equipment and supplies including diabetes supplies, home health products, and hospice solutions distributed to patients and caregivers through retail pharmacy and direct patient channels.
• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services Contract logistics services for biopharmaceutical manufacturers including warehousing, packaging, DSCSA-compliant serialization, cold chain management, and distribution services.
• Presource® Procedural Packs and Solutions Customized surgical procedure packs and kitting services containing medical supplies and equipment organized for specific surgical and diagnostic procedures, sold to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to reduce preparation time and ensure consistency.
• Kendall DL Multi System Patient monitoring system designed for hospital and healthcare settings, providing real-time vital sign tracking and clinical decision support.
• Kangaroo OMNI™ Enteral Feeding Pump Portable enteral feeding pump for patients requiring nutrition support, featuring programmable feeding schedules and delivery modes, sold to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care providers.
• OptiFreight® Logistics Specialized logistics and freight management services for healthcare and pharmaceutical products, featuring temperature-controlled cold chain capabilities for sensitive products.
• Outcomes™ Platform Specialty pharmacy hub platform connecting patients, providers, and manufacturers, offering hub services, patient support programs, prescription management via mobile app (ScalaMed), and care coordination.
• WaveMark™ Solutions RFID-based supply chain management and inventory optimization solutions for medical device and supply tracking in operating rooms, clinical labs, and nursing units.
• Intelogix™ Platform Hospital pharmacy management and drug cost control platform with clinical consulting capabilities, providing supply chain intelligence, data analytics, and visibility for healthcare distribution operations.
• Nuctrac™ Platform Theranostics management platform enabling tracking and management of nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical treatments, supporting patient-specific dosing and regulatory compliance.
• Atrix™ Ally Specialty pharmacy patient support tool providing medication adherence reminders and clinical support for patients on specialty therapies.
• Advanced Therapy Navigator Platform supporting advanced and cell/gene therapy supply chain management, providing coordination, tracking, and logistics for specialty treatments including advanced therapies.
• 340B Services 340B drug pricing program services for safety-net hospitals, community health centers, and government healthcare facilities, providing compliance support, contract pharmacy services, and pricing management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Specialty revenue growth exceeding 20% in FY2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• KinaxisstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Cardinal Health received Kinaxis Center of Excellence Catalyst Award recognizing excellence in supply chain innovation and measurable business impact using the Kinaxis Maestro platform for AI-driven planning and orchestration across global supply chain operations.
• Celonis and Ikigai LabsstrategicTechnology or Integration · 13 May 2026Cardinal Health was named as an early adopter of Celonis's combined platform following its acquisition of Ikigai Labs. The platform provides operational context for enterprise AI deployments using large graphical model technology to help Cardinal Health eliminate blind spots in AI implementations.
• KPMG and Google CloudstrategicTechnology or Integration · 23 April 2026KPMG expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to develop AI agents for regulated industries, with initial deployment at Cardinal Health. The AI tools aim to automate complex regulatory tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce risk in healthcare sector through AI-powered solutions meeting strict compliance standards.
• Integrated Oncology Network (ION)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Cardinal Health acquired Integrated Oncology Network (ION) extending specialty care reach by incorporating ION's network of over 50 community-based oncology and urology practice locations across 10 U.S. states. The acquisition enhances Cardinal Health's oncology alliance network by broadening provider base and reinforcing value-based care across the cancer treatment spectrum.
• ScalaMedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2022Cardinal Health acquired ScalaMed, a smart prescription platform that enables prescriptions to be sent directly to patients via mobile app. The technology was transferred to Cardinal Health's Outcomes division to enhance digital connectivity and patient-centric care across its pharmacy network, improving medication adherence and reducing administrative burdens.
• Solaris HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership and acquisitions in oncology including Solaris and GI Alliance representing specialty ecosystem expansion with oncology growing more than 30%.
• GI AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership in gastroenterology as part of specialty ecosystem expansion, with specialty oncology and other specialty segments showing strong growth.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• CVS Health (Caremark):
• Walgreens Boots Alliance: Walgreens Boots Alliance is a major retail pharmacy customer of Cardinal Health and a broader healthcare services player (through VillageMD and Shields Health Solutions), with overlapping pharmacy distribution, specialty pharmacy, and home care interests.
• UnitedHealth Group (Optum Rx): Optum Rx is a major PBM, specialty pharmacy, and care delivery operator that intersects with Cardinal Health's pharmaceutical distribution, specialty solutions, and home-based care businesses as both a customer and a competitor.

Direct peers

• McKesson Corporation: McKesson is the largest U.S. pharmaceutical distributor and Cardinal Health's most direct competitor, with overlapping pharmaceutical distribution, specialty pharmacy, biopharma services, and medical-surgical supply businesses serving the same hospital, retail pharmacy, and provider customers.
• Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): Cencora is the third member of the U.S. "Big 3" pharmaceutical distributors, competing head-to-head with Cardinal Health in pharmaceutical and specialty distribution, animal health, and global biopharma services, with a similar customer base across hospitals, retail pharmacies, and physician practices.
• Owens & Minor: Owens & Minor is a major medical products distributor with Apria home medical equipment and Byram healthcare, overlapping directly with Cardinal Health's medical products distribution, patient direct/home care, and hospital supply businesses.
• Henry Schein: Henry Schein distributes medical and dental supplies, including specialty physician practice solutions, and competes with Cardinal Health's medical products distribution segment across physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices.

Emerging players

• Patterson Companies: Patterson distributes dental and animal health products, overlapping with parts of Cardinal Health's medical supplies and at-home solutions portfolio, though focused on narrower end markets.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher provides laboratory supplies, diagnostics, and biopharma services that intersect with Cardinal Health's laboratory distribution, radiopharma manufacturing, and biopharma 3PL offerings in adjacent healthcare supply chain segments.

Others

• Bayer (Pharmaceuticals): Bayer is a major pharmaceutical manufacturer and a key supplier to and customer of pharmaceutical distributors like Cardinal Health, also producing radiopharmaceutical imaging agents (e.g., Xofigo) that compete in the same nuclear medicine channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cardinal-health
• Xx.com/cardinalhealth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A52 records

Investments16 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cardinal Health