Cardinal Health announces leadership changes
Cardinal Health (Dublin, OH) named Mike Kaufmann as the company’s next CEO and as a member of the board of directors, effective January 1, 2018. Kaufmann currently is the company’s CFO. He will succeed George Barrett, Cardinal Health’s chairman and CEO since 2009, who will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board of directors through the annual meeting of shareholders in November 2018. At that time, Gregory Kenny, Cardinal Health’s lead independent director, will assume the role of non-executive chairman. As part of the succession plan, Jorge Gomez will succeed Mike Kaufmann as Cardinal Health’s CFO. Gomez currently is SVP and CFO of Cardinal Health’s Medical segment and previously served as CFO of Cardinal Health’s Pharmaceutical segment, as well as in roles as both the company’s treasurer and controller.
Owens & Minor to acquire Halyard Health’s surgical & infection prevention unit for $710M
Owens & Minor (Richmond, VA) signed a definitive agreement to acquire the surgical and infection prevention business of Halyard Health Inc (Alpharetta, GA) for approximately $710 million in cash. Halyard’s S&IP portfolio includes sterilization wraps, surgical drapes and gowns, facial protection, protective apparel, and medical exam gloves. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
McKesson announces retirement of Paul Julian
McKesson Corporation announced that Paul Julian, EVP and group president, Distribution Solutions, will retire at the end of 2017. He has been with the company for 21 years. On Julian’s retirement, the presidents of the businesses within Distribution Solutions will report to John H. Hammergren, chairman and CEO.
Amazon acquires wholesale pharmacy licenses in 12 states
Amazon.com Inc has gained approval to become a wholesale distributor from more than 10 state pharmaceutical boards within the last year, according to a review of public records by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Amazon holds licenses in at least 12 states: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon and Tennessee. The company also has an application pending in Maine. This does not mean Amazon can begin shipping prescription drugs or devices directly to consumers; the company would still need to obtain a pharmacy license. The North Dakota license suggests that Amazon could also distribute medical devices or medical gas, according to the license issued February 24. Under license type, it says, “durable medical equipment distributor, medical gas distributor, or both.” In the application in Nevada, which was issued January 25, the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy approved an out-of-state wholesale licenses to Amazon. On the applications where it describes the types of products that will be handled by the wholesale firm, it lists “legend pharmaceuticals, supplies, or devices and hypodermic devices. The license in Nevada allows Amazon to ship into the state from the three facilities in Indiana.