Cardinal Health explained simply for everyone

You may wonder what Cardinal Health is. Cardinal Health stands as a company that helps deliver medicine and medical supplies where they are needed most. You see its impact every time you visit a pharmacy or a hospital. In recent years, Cardinal Health has managed billions in revenue, as shown below:

This company works behind the scenes to keep healthcare running smoothly for you and your family.

Key Takeaways

• Cardinal Health plays a vital role in healthcare by delivering medicine and medical supplies to hospitals and pharmacies, ensuring you receive the care you need.

• The company operates in over 30 countries and serves nearly 90% of hospitals in the U.S., making healthcare accessible worldwide.

• Cardinal Health uses advanced technology to track shipments and manage supplies, which helps prevent shortages and ensures timely delivery of medications.

• Programs like Equity Rx and Sonexus Access help patients access necessary medications, especially those facing financial or insurance challenges.

• By supporting healthcare providers with logistics and supply chain management, Cardinal Health allows doctors and nurses to focus more on patient care.

Cardinal Health Overview

What Is Cardinal Health

You see cardinal health as a company that helps hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics get the supplies they need. The company works in two main business segments. The first segment focuses on delivering medicine and medical products across North America. The second segment creates and sells products that help with medication dispensing, infusion, and infection prevention. You can see these segments in the table below:

Cardinal health makes sure that medicine and medical tools reach the right places quickly and safely. You rely on their work every time you visit a hospital or pick up a prescription.

Global Reach

You find cardinal health in more than 30 countries. The company has expanded its operations to places like Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. This global presence means you benefit from their services almost everywhere. The company serves nearly 90% of hospitals in the United States and ships to over 140,000 locations worldwide. You can see some of the key international markets below:

• Brazil

• Canada

• Puerto Rico

• United States

• Germany

• Spain

• Australia

• China

• Japan

• Korea

Cardinal health connects healthcare providers across the world, making sure that patients get what they need no matter where they live.

Role in Healthcare

You depend on cardinal health for safe and efficient delivery of medicine and supplies. The company acts as a crucial link in the healthcare supply chain. You benefit from their speed and reliability. As Joel Wayment, VP of Cardinal Health 3PL, says:

“We pride ourselves on the speed, efficiency and breadth of the personalized, scalable distribution solutions we offer,”

You also trust that your medical products come from a distributor who meets all licensing and regulatory standards. Sembrot from cardinal health explains:

“Customers want to know their medical products distributor is in good standing with every licensing and regulatory body,”

You see new innovations from cardinal health, such as the Kendall DL™ Multi System. This device helps doctors monitor heart activity, blood oxygen, and temperature with one connection. It makes care safer and easier for patients and healthcare workers.

Cardinal health adapts to changes in the healthcare industry. The company modernizes pharmaceutical distribution and creates a more agile supply chain. You benefit from their partnerships, like the one with SCWorx, which improves data management and helps hospitals work more efficiently.

You experience better care because cardinal health connects hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. The company helps healthcare providers focus on patients by handling the complex job of delivering supplies and medicine.

Cardinal Health Services

Medicine Distribution

You depend on a steady supply of medicine at your local pharmacy or hospital. Cardinal Health makes this possible by moving huge amounts of medicine every year. The company works with many partners to make sure you get the right medicine when you need it.

• In one year, CVS Health alone bought over $42 billion in pharmaceuticals from Cardinal Health.

• Cardinal Health delivers medicine to thousands of pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals across the country.

• You benefit from their careful tracking and fast delivery, which helps prevent shortages.

When you pick up a prescription, you see the result of a complex process. Cardinal Health uses advanced systems to track shipments and keep medicine safe. You can trust that your medicine arrives fresh and ready to use.

Medical Products

You see Cardinal Health’s products in many places. The company supplies hospitals and clinics with items like gloves, masks, syringes, and wound care products. These tools help doctors and nurses care for you safely. Cardinal Health also creates special products for surgery, infection prevention, and medication delivery.

Here is a quick look at some of the medical products you might find:

You may not notice these products, but they play a big role in your care. Hospitals rely on Cardinal Health to keep shelves stocked and ready for emergencies.

Support for Providers

You want your doctors and nurses to focus on your health, not on paperwork or supply problems. Cardinal Health helps healthcare providers by making their jobs easier. The company offers services that manage shipments, track supplies, and lower costs.

Tip: Cardinal Health’s OptiFreight® Logistics service gives hospitals and clinics expert tools to control shipping and save money. This service handles both incoming and outgoing shipments, so healthcare teams can focus on patients instead of packages.

Cardinal Health uses technology to give hospitals a clear view of their supply chain. You benefit because your care team always knows what supplies they have and what they need to order. This support helps hospitals run smoothly and keeps your care safe and efficient.

Impact of Cardinal Health

For Patients

You experience the benefits of Cardinal Health every time you visit a pharmacy or clinic. The company helps you get the medicine you need, even if you face challenges with insurance or cost.

• The Equity Rx program gives you access to medications and health counseling, especially if you visit a charitable clinic. This program now supports patients in ten clinics across several states, thanks to a $5 million investment from the Cardinal Health Foundation.

• If you need specialty drugs for conditions like cancer or rare diseases, you might wait weeks for approval. Cardinal Health’s Sonexus Access and Patient Support helps you get these medicines faster. In 2023, they shipped over 440,000 free medication packages, worth more than $5.1 billion, to patients like you.

“Sonexus Access and Patient Support collaborates with specialty manufacturers to help patients get on – and stay on – therapies to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and rare diseases.”

For Healthcare Providers

You want your doctors and nurses to focus on your care, not on paperwork or supply shortages. Cardinal Health supports healthcare teams by making their work easier and more efficient.

• When your doctor prescribes a new treatment, Cardinal Health helps clinics and hospitals keep the right medicines and supplies in stock.

• The company works with researchers to improve treatments. For example, they received a grant from the FDA to study new ways to use real-world evidence in cancer trials. This research could help your doctor offer better care and faster access to new therapies.

• Cardinal Health tracks how well new treatments work outside of clinical trials. Their study on CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma follows 500 patients over two years, helping doctors understand what works best for you.

For the System

You benefit from a healthcare system that runs smoothly and responds quickly to emergencies. Cardinal Health invests in technology and automation to make this possible.

• The company built a new Consumer Health Logistics Center to improve how medicines move from warehouses to pharmacies.

• With the Vantus HQ ordering platform, pharmacists can track and manage orders more easily, so you get your prescriptions on time.

• During public health emergencies, Cardinal Health’s Strategic Stock Solution keeps critical supplies ready. Hospitals can order and receive essential items within 72 hours, even during crises like hurricanes or pandemics.

You see the impact of Cardinal Health in every part of your healthcare journey, from the pharmacy counter to the hospital room. The company works behind the scenes to make your care safer, faster, and more reliable.

Why Cardinal Health Matters

Cost-Effectiveness

You want healthcare that does not waste money. Cardinal Health helps hospitals and clinics save costs while improving care for you. The company invests in programs that support better patient outcomes and lower expenses. You can see some of these cost-saving programs in the table below:

| Program Name — | Description — | | E3 Grants — | Over $9 million invested to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. — | | Generation Rx Grants — | Supports clinicians in meeting opioid prescribing guidelines to enhance pain care safety. — | | Patient Safety Movement Foundation — | Aims for zero preventable deaths and shares successful safety processes. — | | Award for Excellence in Medication Safety — | Recognizes teams for improvements in medication safety with positive outcomes. — |

You benefit from these programs because they help your healthcare providers use resources wisely. When hospitals save money, they can invest more in your care and new treatments. Cardinal Health also works with partners to bring hospital-level care to your home. This shift can lower costs and make you feel more comfortable during recovery.

Safety and Efficiency

You expect your medicine and supplies to arrive safely and on time. Cardinal Health uses advanced technology to make this happen. The company relies on a cognitive supply chain that uses real-time data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This system learns and adapts, so your pharmacy or hospital responds quickly to changes or disruptions.

• The supply chain reacts in real time and fixes problems automatically.

• Goods-to-person robotics speed up picking and moving products, so you get what you need faster.

• Collaboration across the network breaks down barriers and improves teamwork.

You see the results when your doctor has the right medicine or when your pharmacy fills your prescription without delay. Cardinal Health’s scale and technology help providers deliver safer, more efficient care. You get better outcomes and a smoother healthcare experience.

You see Cardinal Health as a leader in healthcare. The company delivers medicine, supplies, and support to hospitals and clinics worldwide.

1. You benefit from their diverse services, strong business growth, and innovative solutions.

2. You rely on their global network, which helps millions of patients and providers every day.

You experience safer, faster care because Cardinal Health works behind the scenes for you.

FAQ

What does Cardinal Health do?

You see Cardinal Health deliver medicine and medical supplies to hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. The company also creates products that help doctors and nurses care for you safely and efficiently.

How does Cardinal Health help you as a patient?

You get your medicine on time because Cardinal Health manages the supply chain. The company supports programs that help you access important treatments, even if you face cost or insurance challenges.

Where can you find Cardinal Health products?

You find Cardinal Health products in hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies across the United States and in over 30 countries. These products include gloves, masks, syringes, and more.

Why is Cardinal Health important for healthcare providers?

Cardinal Health helps your healthcare team by managing supplies, tracking shipments, and lowering costs. This support lets doctors and nurses focus more on your care.

How does Cardinal Health make healthcare safer?

• You benefit from advanced technology that tracks medicine and supplies.

• The company uses real-time data and robotics to prevent mistakes and speed up delivery.

• Hospitals and pharmacies stay ready for emergencies because of Cardinal Health’s planning.