McKesson: Advancing Sustainable Healthcare & Supply Chains

McKesson is a diversified healthcare services leader dedicated to advancing health outcomes for patients, providers and the broader healthcare ecosystem. 

Touching nearly every aspect of health, the company connects products, partners and people to ensure medications, therapies and medical supplies reach patients safely and efficiently.

About McKesson

Through its robust network of more than 50 distribution centres, McKesson delivers more than a third of all medications in the US, offering more than 300,000 national brand and proprietary products. 

Its capabilities span pharmaceutical and medical-surgical distribution, pharmacy services, oncology and multispecialty solutions, biopharma support and prescription benefit programs, all designed to improve access, affordability and adherence.

Through tools like CoverMyMeds and Rx Savings Solutions, McKesson has:

• Helped patients access medications more than 111 million times
• Saved nearly 12.5 million prescriptions from abandonment
• Covered approximately 19 million members
• Reduced patient costs by more than US$10.9bn for specialty and brand medications.

By combining advanced technology, supply chain expertise and hands-on support, McKesson empowers pharmacies and health systems, accelerates the delivery of innovative therapies and strengthens the healthcare system, ensuring patients receive the care and treatments they need.

"I’m proud to be part of Team McKesson, where our purpose, Advancing Health Outcomes for All, guides everything we do," writes Brian Tyler, CEO at McKesson, on LinkedIn.

Supply chain management

At McKesson, maintaining a resilient and seamless supply chain is central to ensuring that medications and healthcare supplies reach patients and providers across North America, even during times of crisis.

With nearly two centuries of experience in pharmaceutical distribution, the company leverages advanced supply chain analytics, forecasting and visibility tools to address complex challenges such as drug shortages, natural disasters and pandemic response. 

“For health-system supply chain leaders, visibility is everything,” writes Chris McCarty, Vice President of Business Development, Health Systems, at McKesson on LinkedIn. 

“Strong supply chains are built on strong data. 

“Tools like McKesson Business Analytics help turn purchasing data into actionable insights. 

“That level of transparency supports smarter decisions around spend, utilisation, standardisation and long-term planning across increasingly complex, multi-site systems.”

By collaborating closely with manufacturers, pharmacies, healthcare providers and government partners, McKesson strengthen the flow of essential medications, anticipate disruptions and implement targeted solutions that safeguard patient care.

The company's proactive disaster preparedness, regulatory compliance under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act and strategic industry partnerships helps to  underscore its commitment to delivering vital healthcare products reliably, supporting both the medical community and the patients who depend on them.

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

Healthier people and planet

The McKesson Foundation and McKesson’s ESG initiatives demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.

Through the Foundation, McKesson removes barriers to quality healthcare in under-resourced communities by focusing on three strategic pillars: reducing the burden of cancer, preparing tomorrow’s healthcare workforce and accelerating crisis response.

These efforts include promoting prevention and early detection, providing financial and logistical support for patients, increasing recruitment and cultural competency in oncology and pharmacy fields and ensuring communities are prepared for and supported during disasters with essential medicines, food and healthcare services.

On the sustainability front, McKesson has implemented its Green Building Standards to optimise energy efficiency, occupant wellness and environmental performance across its global portfolio.

The company actively reduces greenhouse gas emissions through science-based targets, renewable energy investments such as the Liberty Solar plant, waste reduction initiatives and the deployment of clean and EVs.

Innovative practices, such as reusable cold chain packaging for temperature-sensitive medications, not only protect product quality but also reduce waste and emissions across the supply chain. 

By integrating ESG principles into operations, supplier engagement and community-focused programmes, McKesson exemplifies how healthcare delivery and environmental stewardship can advance hand in hand, ensuring patients receive essential care while supporting a healthier planet