The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Signs Vaccines Storage Contract with McKesson

“Outsourced vaccine storage requires a distributor with experience and infrastructure to assure that supply chain systems are stable and secure,” said Philip C. Bolger, vice president and general manager for Distribution & Physician Services, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions. “In addition, McKesson can support the compressed timetable for vaccine distribution across the U.S. and its territories.”

Because of their composition and limited shelf life, vaccines require special handling to ensure product viability when received by the physician practice or clinic. Precise cold chain management is critical to the product being received by the end user in manufacturer-recommended conditions. As one of the largest specialty drug distributors, McKesson is a leader in cold chain and inventory management and holds the appropriate local, state and federal licenses for safely handling and transporting regulated drug products.

McKesson is also the exclusive distributor for the nation’s public-sector vaccine supply through a contract with the CDC. Two of McKesson’s specialty distribution centers are primarily dedicated to this program, which transitioned to a centralized distribution model in 2007 and delivers pediatric and adult vaccines to more than 46,000 providers across the United States and its territories.

“We are excited to continue to build and strengthen our relationship with the CDC and support this national organization in ensuring U.S. citizens have the vaccines they need when they need them,” said Pat Blake, president, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions. “The demands of CDC programs require a distributor with experience, flexibility and vision, and we are honored by the CDC’s continued confidence in McKesson to meet these needs.”

About McKesson Specialty Care Solutions

McKesson Specialty Care Solutions, a division of McKesson Corp., delivers the services manufacturers, payors and providers need to ensure pharmaceutical products, coordinated reimbursement, and clinical services are available to patients with complex diseases. Its Onmark GPO, world-class Lynx® technology platform and clinical tools, provide manufacturers and providers with value-added information that helps improve efficiencies and patient safety and care. www.mckesson.com/specialty

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and healthcare information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information on McKesson, visit http://www.mckesson.com .