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McKesson’s History: Advancing Healthcare

McKesson’s rich legacy spans nearly two centuries as an industry leader.

Shaping the Direction of Healthcare Since 1833

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2024 - Present
 

Advancing community oncology care and expanding our differentiated value proposition

  • Acquires controlling interest in Community Oncology Revitalization Enterprise Ventures (Core Ventures) to support our efforts to enhance patient-centered oncology care.
  • Welcomes Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) as a member of The US Oncology Network to further empower community-based providers to excel independently in the dynamic healthcare environment.
  • Acquires controlling interest in PRISM Vision Group to extend our practice management capabilities into the important areas of ophthalmology and retina care.
An eye doctor examines a patient's eyes using a slit lamp biomicroscope.
2022 - 2024
 

Establishing new ventures to broaden our scope as a diversified healthcare services leader

  • Forms a joint venture between McKesson’s US Oncology Research (USOR) and HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) to transform oncology research, accelerate drug development and increase availability and access to clinical trials in the community setting.
  • Acquires Rx Savings Solutions to help make prescription medications more affordable for patients.
  • Acquires Compile, a proven healthcare data platform that accelerates McKesson’s ability to commercialize data. Ultimately, the goal is to hopefully help life sciences companies bring products to market in faster and better ways and improve patient outcomes.
  • Launches InspiroGene by McKesson to address the complex challenges of bringing cell, gene and advanced therapies to market. 
A person is looking at a computer screen while the images reflect on her glasses.
2020 - 2021
 

Responding to global healthcare needs and expanding patient support services

  • Serves as the U.S. government’s centralized distributor of COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supply kits; McKesson Europe distributes COVID-19 vaccines in several countries.
  • Pharmacies owned/operated by McKesson in the U.S., Canada and Europe remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic providing medication access, testing and vaccinations in select stores.
  • Advances cancer care and research with the launch of Ontada™, an oncology technology and insights business.
  • Exits investment in Change Healthcare and moves forward executing against strategic growth initiatives as a more focused organization.
  • Strategically realigns McKesson’s Prescription Technology Solutions, including CoverMyMeds, Prescription Automation, RelayHealth and RxCrossroads, under the new CoverMyMeds® brand.
Person in a warehouse carrying a box labeled 'KoolTemp EcoFlex 96' with other boxes and equipment in the background.
2019
 

Investing in solutions to improve patient outcomes

  • Transforms patient access, adherence and cost of specialty medications with the launch of Access for More Patients™.
  • Acquires online prescription fulfillment business, Echo, to accelerate the transition to digital and improve medication access for UK patients.
  • Expands Biologics by McKesson’s specialty pharmacy capabilities for rare and complex conditions.
A pharmacy worker in a blue uniform holds a clear plastic bag with medication bottles at a counter.
2017 - 2018
 

Forging new strategic ventures to expand healthcare expertise

  • Forms healthcare IT joint venture with Change Healthcare to deliver wide-ranging financial, operational and clinical benefits.
  • Acquires CoverMyMeds® to provide patients cost-effective solutions for medications.
  • Acquires RxCrossroads to provide biopharma manufacturers customizable services and solutions.
  • Announces Medical Specialties Distributors acquisition to create new solutions that improve alternate-site delivery and distribution of patient care supplies.
Two doctors in white coats converse in a hospital hallway while a nurse in red scrubs walks by.
2007 - 2016
 

Transforming the fight against cancer

  • Expands oncology expertise with the acquisitions of Biologics and Vantage Oncology.
  • Becomes a leader in specialty cancer care with the acquisitions The US Oncology Network and US Oncology Research.
  • Establishes expertise in oncology with the acquisition of Oncology Therapeutics Network and Onmark Group Purchasing Organization.
A doctor in a white coat consults with a patient wearing a headscarf and blue shirt in a medical examination room, holding a clipboard.
1991 - 2006
 

Accelerating global leadership in healthcare

  • Continues investing in the Health Mart franchise, now the nation’s largest network of independent pharmacies.
  • Acquires RelayHealth, the nation’s leading pharmacy network.
  • Expands footprint by acquiring HBO & Company, the world’s largest healthcare services company.
  • Acquires General Medical Supply, the nation's largest distributor of medical supplies and equipment.
  • Gains traction in Canada with the acquisition of Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services.
Two pharmacists, one in a blue polo shirt and the other in a white lab coat, discuss something while looking at a computer screen in a pharmacy.
1833 - 1960
 

Building a best-in-class supply chain

  • John McKesson and Charles Olcott, two young entrepreneurs, open Olcott & McKesson, a drug import and wholesale business in 1833.
  • Forms the first-ever nationwide wholesale pharmaceutical drug distribution network.
  • Becomes the largest U.S. distributor of wholesale pharmaceutical drugs, beverages and chemicals.
McKesson Drug Store

Protecting the Most Vulnerable During Public Health Threats

McKesson has mobilized resources during some of the most threatening health crises throughout history. From distributing medicines and vaccines to deploying personal protective equipment (PPE), the company has been dedicated to making care possible for more than 190 years.

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Historical timeline from 1833 to present day, highlighting McKesson's founding in 1833 to import and sell therapeutic drugs, with an old photo of a horse-drawn carriage.

1833 - McKesson is founded by John McKesson and Charles Olcott to import and sell therapeutic drugs and herbal products.

Historical image from 1918 showing a medical worker in protective gear next to a patient bed, with text about McKesson's efforts to prevent the spread of a deadly flu.

1918 – A severe flu pandemic infects a third of the world’s population, claiming the life of an estimated 50 million people worldwide. McKesson distributes lozenges with the hope of preventing the spread of the deadly influenza.

Timeline image highlighting the 1940s, showing McKesson Laboratories' involvement in wartime efforts through licensed, experimental production of penicillin, with lab equipment in the background.

1940s – Penicillin becomes widely available to reduce illness and death from infectious diseases. McKesson Laboratories deploys an experimental production of penicillin carrying it out under license by the government. The company is officially recognized by the War Production Board for its part in this wartime effort.

In 2005, McKesson helps the most vulnerable get access to critical medications after Hurricane Katrina.

2005 – Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, impacts many communities including New Orleans. McKesson reacts to help the most vulnerable get access to critical medications. Stronger emergency-response plans across the healthcare industry emerge after the crisis to strengthen the healthcare supply chain through collaboration with public health and private sectors by addressing pressing issues before, during, and after disasters.

The CDC selects McKesson to distribute vaccines for the Vaccines for Children Program, reaching 1.8M+ children nationwide.

2006 – Uninsured and underinsured children are threatened without access to vaccines. McKesson is selected by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to distribute vaccines for the Vaccines for Children Program to reach more than 1.8 million children via approximately 44,000 participating healthcare provider sites.

In 2009, McKesson deploys 125M+ doses of H1N1 vaccine to 90K+ sites across the United States.

2009 – H1N1 Flu poses a major threat to human health. McKesson partners with the CDC as the sole vaccine distributor. The company deploys over 125 million doses to as many as 90,000 sites across the U.S., making it the largest public health initiative of the time.

In 2014, as Ebola spreads in West Africa, McKesson donates over 4 million pairs of latex gloves as part of medical relief efforts.

2014 – Ebola breaks out in West Africa with more than 21,000 cases. McKesson responds with a donation of medical relief supplies, including 4 million pairs of latex gloves, 8,000 gallons of disinfectant and personal protective equipment kits.

Timeline from 1833 to present day, focusing on 2020. A healthcare worker in protective gear, with text about the COVID-19 pandemic and McKesson's response.

2020-2021 – The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. McKesson uses its longstanding expertise in managing complex logistics to partner with the U.S. government to deliver critically needed medical supplies to frontline healthcare workers across the country. Additionally, McKesson continues distributing medications daily to pharmacies in North America and Europe.

Present Day

Under Emergency Use Authorization, the company is distributing Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine as directed by the U.S. government. Additionally, the company is distributing the ancillary supplies needed to administer Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines.