Cardinal Health

Robert D. Walter established Cardinal Health in 1971 as a division of Cardinal Industries before the entity spun off to become an independent public company. Based in Dublin, Ohio, the organization has grown into the 15th largest revenue-generating corporation in the United States. It supplies pharmaceuticals and medical products to over 100,000 locations including hospitals, physician offices, and home-health settings.

The business operates through three main segments: Healthcare Solutions which handles distribution of branded and generic drugs; Medical Products manufacturing items like gloves, syringes, and diagnostic equipment; and Performance & Data Solutions providing analytics to optimize supply chains. Recent strategic shifts emphasize specialty care, highlighted by Walcker's appointment as President of The Specialty Alliance in September 2026 to lead gastroenterology and urology initiatives.

Financial forecasts for fiscal 2026 project full-year profits exceeding market estimates driven by the specialty drug sector. Analysts anticipate earnings per share growth between 13% and 15% for fiscal 2027. While shares showed volatility against competitors like McKesson in late September 2026, after-hours trading indicated gains. The company continues active lobbying efforts to navigate regulatory environments while expanding access to advanced therapies. [edit]