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McKesson Corporation

Acquisitions

McKesson Acquisitions

3

Major Deals Covered

What are McKesson's biggest acquisitions?

This page covers 3 major deals from 2017 to 2025, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
3
First deal
2017
Most recent
2025
CompanyYearPricePurpose
2025Undisclosed—
2025Undisclosed—
2017Undisclosed—
What companies has McKesson bought?
Major acquisitions by McKesson documented here include PRISM Vision Holdings controlling interest (2025), Core Ventures controlling interest (2025) and CoverMyMeds (2017).
What is McKesson's most recent acquisition?
The most recent McKesson acquisition documented here is PRISM Vision Holdings controlling interest, in 2025.

PRISM Vision Holdings controlling interest

2025

Core Ventures controlling interest

2025

CoverMyMeds

2017

McKesson Corporation's Growth & Acquisition Strategy

McKesson is concentrating capital on oncology, multispecialty care, and biopharma services, where provider relationships and specialty capabilities can grow faster than traditional wholesale distribution. It is also expanding prescription access and affordability services, completing its exit from Europe, and pursuing a separation of Medical-Surgical Solutions. The objective is a more focused portfolio with better profit growth while preserving the reliability and cash generation of North American pharmaceutical distribution.

How McKesson Corporation Makes Money

McKesson makes money primarily by purchasing and distributing pharmaceuticals and medical products to pharmacies, hospitals, health systems, and other providers. Distribution is a high-volume, thin-margin business, so purchasing terms, logistics efficiency, order accuracy, customer contracts, and working-capital management drive results. The company also earns service revenue through oncology and multispecialty provider platforms, biopharma services, prescription access and affordability tools, third-party logistics, and medical-surgical distribution.

McKesson Acquisitions FAQ

What was the strategic impact of McKesson acquiring US Oncology in 2010?

In 2010, McKesson acquired US Oncology for $2.16 billion, securing a dominant footprint in community-based cancer care. The acquisition brought thousands of affiliated oncologists, the iKnowMed oncology electronic health record, and clinical trial networks under McKesson, establishing its high-margin specialty pharmaceutical distribution core.

Why did McKesson acquire CoverMyMeds in 2017?

McKesson acquired health tech platform CoverMyMeds for approximately $1.1 billion (plus contingent earnouts) in 2017 to automate electronic prior authorization (ePA). The software eliminates manual paperwork between doctors, pharmacies, and insurers, accelerating patient medication access and anchoring McKesson's high-margin Prescription Technology Solutions division.

What was McKesson's acquisition of Celesio AG in Europe and why was it later divested?

In 2014, McKesson acquired German pharmaceutical wholesale and retail pharmacy giant Celesio AG for $5.4 billion to build a transatlantic distribution platform. However, European retail drug price caps, regulatory fragmentation, and low margins led McKesson to systematically divest all European assets between 2021 and 2024 to refocus on North America.

How did the acquisition of PSS World Medical expand McKesson's medical-surgical business?

In 2013, McKesson acquired PSS World Medical for $2.1 billion, merging it with McKesson Medical-Surgical. The deal significantly broadened McKesson's distribution of clinical equipment, lab testing supplies, and consumables to ambulatory surgery centers, physician clinics, and long-term care facilities.

What was the HBOC acquisition in 1999 and the subsequent accounting scandal?

In 1999, McKesson acquired healthcare software provider HBO & Company (HBOC) for $14 billion to form McKessonHBOC. Shortly after closing, a large accounting fraud at HBOC involving prematurely booked software revenue was uncovered, causing McKesson's stock to plunge $9 billion in a single day and leading to the ouster of management and executive criminal convictions.

How did McKesson acquire RxCrossroads to bolster biopharma commercial services?

In 2018, McKesson acquired RxCrossroads from CVS Health for $735 million, adding specialized brand support services, third-party logistics (3PL) for rare disease drugs, patient reimbursement hub support, and nursing adherence services for specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers.

What is McKesson's recent M&A strategy regarding oncology management service organizations (MSOs)?

McKesson has actively acquired controlling equity interests and management service organizations for leading independent oncology practices (such as its 2024 partnership acquiring a controlling stake in Community Oncology Revitalization Enterprise / Florida Cancer Specialists' non-clinical assets) to expand The US Oncology Network.

How did McKesson integrate RelayHealth into its pharmacy technology ecosystem?

In 2006, McKesson acquired RelayHealth, a leading connectivity platform that routes pharmacy claims, processes prescription co-pay loyalty cards, and facilitates secure doctor-patient communications, serving as a core digital backbone for retail pharmacy EDI transaction routing.

What companies has McKesson acquired?

To escape the razor-thin margins of simple drug distribution, McKesson executes massive acquisitions in higher-margin healthcare services. In 2010, they bought US Oncology for $2.1 billion, instantly dominating the incredibly complex, highly lucrative market of cancer drug administration and physician network management. They also acquired Rexall Health in Canada for $2.2 billion to dominate Canadian retail pharmacy.

Related M&A Histories

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.