# Cardinal Health **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/cardinal-health **Vertical:** Healthcare Tech **Subcategory:** Enterprise **Tier:** Leader **Website:** cardinalhealth.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Dublin OH pharmaceutical distribution (NYSE: CAH) $230B+ revenue; specialty pharma GLP-1 distribution tailwind, at-Home Solutions growth, medical divestiture to Medline competing with McKesson and Cencora. ## Company Overview Cardinal Health, Inc. is a Dublin, Ohio-based healthcare distribution and medical products company — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CAH) as an S&P 500 Health Care component — distributing pharmaceutical products to pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers, and manufacturing and distributing medical and surgical supplies through approximately 44,000 employees. In fiscal year 2025 (ending June 2025), Cardinal Health generated revenues exceeding $230 billion in its Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment — reflecting the company's role as a pass-through distributor of branded and generic pharmaceuticals at near-zero margin on drug cost, where Cardinal Health earns distribution fees and rebate income on enormous volumes. CEO Jason Hollar has executed a two-segment strategy focused on optimizing pharmaceutical distribution (Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions — $227B+ revenue at low margin) and growing medical products profitability (Global Medical Products and Distribution — higher-margin branded surgical products, Cardinal Health brand commodities, and at-Home Solutions). The 2024 divestiture of the medical segment's Cardinal Health Brand product line to Medline Industries for $1.1 billion simplified the medical segment focus toward specialty distribution and home healthcare supply. Cardinal Health's specialty pharmaceutical distribution (oncology, rheumatology, rare disease biologics through Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions) is a growing higher-margin subsegment as pharmaceutical manufacturers contract with specialty distributors for controlled dispensing of limited-distribution drugs. Cardinal Health's pharmaceutical distribution model creates structural competitive position through the extraordinary capital efficiency of drug distribution: Cardinal Health acts as the financial intermediary between pharmaceutical manufacturers (Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk) and pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, independent pharmacies), purchasing pharmaceutical inventory, warehousing it at Cardinal Health distribution centers, and delivering to tens of thousands of pharmacy locations daily — earning distribution service fees and generic pharmaceutical program rebates while turning inventory 50+ times per year. The specialty pharmaceutical distribution growth (GLP-1 receptor agonists Ozempic and Wegovy distribution through Cardinal Health's Specialty Solutions network) creates disproportionate volume growth as semaglutide prescriptions reached 60+ million in 2024, requiring specialty distribution infrastructure that Cardinal Health provides to physicians, clinics, and specialty pharmacies. Cardinal Health's medical segment at-Home Solutions business — distributing ostomy supplies, wound care products, incontinence products, and enteral nutrition directly to patients' homes — benefits from the shift of post-acute care from hospital settings to home care as payors (Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurers) increasingly prefer lower-cost home-based care. In 2025, Cardinal Health competes in pharmaceutical distribution and medical supply against McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK, $309B revenue, largest US drug distributor), AmerisourceBergen/Cencora (NYSE: COR, $265B revenue), and Medline Industries (private, medical-surgical distribution) for pharmacy distribution contracts, specialty pharmaceutical distribution agreements, and medical product supply relationships with hospitals and healthcare systems. The GLP-1 drug distribution opportunity — Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly ramping Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound supply through 2025-2026 — creates volume tailwind for Cardinal Health's pharmaceutical distribution segment as the single largest new pharmaceutical category in decades flows through the wholesale distribution infrastructure. The 2025 strategy focuses on specialty pharmaceutical distribution growth (oncology, immunology, rare disease), at-Home Solutions patient direct distribution expansion, and medical segment profitability improvement following the Medline divestiture. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does Cardinal Health do? Cardinal Health is a multinational healthcare services company that specializes in pharmaceutical and medical product distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare solutions. The company operates through two main segments: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions (distributing medications to pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty practices) and Global Medical Products and Distribution (manufacturing and distributing medical-surgical products, laboratory supplies, and equipment). Cardinal Health serves more than 100,000 locations across over 30 countries, providing essential products and services that enable healthcare providers to deliver patient care safely and efficiently. ### When was Cardinal Health founded? Cardinal Health was founded in 1971 by Robert D. Walter, a 25-year-old Harvard Business School graduate, as Cardinal Foods, initially operating as a food wholesaler. The company entered pharmaceutical distribution in 1979 with the acquisition of Bailey Drug Company, sold its food operations in 1988 to focus entirely on healthcare, and officially changed its name to Cardinal Health in 1994. The company has been transforming healthcare delivery for over 50 years. ### Where is Cardinal Health headquartered? Cardinal Health is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The corporate campus spans 30 acres and features progressive workplace design with informal meeting areas, integrated technology, and on-site amenities including a cafeteria, fitness facility, coffee shop, pharmacy, and credit union. The headquarters reflects the company's culture of innovation and collaboration. ### How much revenue does Cardinal Health generate? Cardinal Health generated fiscal year 2024 revenues of $226.8 billion, an 11% increase from fiscal year 2023. The company also achieved record financial performance with non-GAAP operating earnings of $2.4 billion (up 16%), operating cash flow of $3.8 billion, and adjusted free cash flow of $3.9 billion, representing all-time highs. This strong performance reflects the company's scale, operational excellence, and strategic focus under CEO Jason Hollar's leadership. ### Who is the CEO of Cardinal Health? Jason Hollar is the Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Health, a position he assumed in September 2022. Hollar previously served as Chief Financial Officer from May 2020 before being promoted to CEO. Under his leadership, the company has achieved record financial results through strategic focus on simplification and prioritization, with business operating earnings reaching $807 million in Q3 fiscal 2025. He also serves on the boards of Red Oak Sourcing, DaVita Kidney Care, and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio. ### What is Cardinal Health's Fortune 500 ranking? Cardinal Health is ranked 14th on the Fortune 500 list, making it one of the largest companies in the United States by revenue. This ranking reflects the company's massive scale in healthcare distribution and services, with fiscal 2024 revenues of $226.8 billion serving healthcare providers across the continuum of care. ### What is Cardinal Health's role in the opioid crisis? Cardinal Health, as one of the three largest pharmaceutical distributors in the United States, has faced significant litigation related to the opioid epidemic. The company has entered into nationwide settlement agreements with state and local governments to resolve opioid-related claims. Notable settlements include $152.5 million to Baltimore in August 2024 and approximately $150 million to Arizona over 18 years. During fiscal 2024, Cardinal recognized $340 million in opioid-related expenses, and fiscal 2025 included $798 million in opioid litigation payments. The company continues to work toward resolving remaining claims while strengthening its controls and monitoring systems. ### How many employees does Cardinal Health have? Cardinal Health employs approximately 50,000 mission-driven partners globally who work to improve the lives of people every day. These employees work across pharmaceutical distribution, medical product manufacturing, specialty solutions, and corporate functions, supporting the company's operations in over 30 countries worldwide. ### What percentage of U.S. hospitals does Cardinal Health serve? Cardinal Health provides medical products to over 75% of hospitals in the United States and can reach 98% of hospital beds within eight hours through their Lab Distribution network. The company also serves more than 90% of health systems and 20,000 specialty physician practices and clinics nationwide, demonstrating the critical role Cardinal Health plays in the U.S. healthcare infrastructure. ### What are Cardinal Health's main business segments? Cardinal Health operates through two major business segments: (1) Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, led by CEO Deborah Weitzman, which distributes pharmaceuticals, specialty medications, and operates nuclear pharmacies; and (2) Global Medical Products and Distribution, led by CEO Stephen Mason, which manufactures and distributes medical-surgical products, laboratory supplies, and patient care solutions. Both segments contributed to record fiscal 2024 performance with significant growth in segment profit. ### What recent acquisitions has Cardinal Health made? Cardinal Health's most recent acquisition was Integrated Oncology Network, completed in December 2024, which expanded the company's Navista oncology practice alliance. Major historical acquisitions include the Medtronic patient product portfolio for $6.1 billion in 2017, Cordis medical division for $1.94 billion in 2015 (later divested in 2021 for $1 billion), VIASYS Healthcare for $1.5 billion in 2007, and the transformative Allegiance Healthcare acquisition for $5.4 billion in 1999. ### Is Cardinal Health publicly traded? Yes, Cardinal Health is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol CAH. The company went public on the NASDAQ in 1983 at $1.03 per share and later moved to the NYSE. As a Fortune 14 company, Cardinal Health is widely held by institutional investors and included in major stock market indices. ## Tags b2b, healthtech, manufacturing, saas, public --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*