Cencora, Inc., formerly known as AmerisourceBergen, is an American drug wholesale and distribution company and a contract research organization, that was formed by the merger of Bergen Brunswig and AmeriSource in 2001.[3] It was renamed to Cencora in 2023. Cencora is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and distributes generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, as well as home healthcare supplies and equipment.[4]
Background
AmerisourceBergen was formed in 2001 following the merger of AmeriSource Health Corporation and Bergen Brunswig Corporation.[5] David Yost was CEO of Amerisource prior to the merger and remained in the position after the companies merged.[6]
AmerisourceBergen has 26 pharmaceutical distribution centers in the US, nine distribution centers in Canada, four specialty distribution centers in the US, and over 1 million square feet of packaging production capacity in the US and the UK. With the addition of World Courier,[7] the largest specialty courier company in the world, over 150 company-owned offices around the globe were added to the company.
AmerisourceBergen operates its pharmaceutical distribution business under four primary units: AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (ABDC), AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (ABSG), AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services (ABCS) and World Courier. In March 2016, pharmacy Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. announced it would exercise an option to purchase 22.7 million shares of AmerisourceBergen stock and thereby control 15% of the company.[8]
In 2012, the firm was the largest by revenue based in Pennsylvania.[9][10]
The company changed its name to Cencora as of August 30, 2023 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "COR".[11]
In May 2024, Cencora disclosed it had been the subject of a cyber incident in which patient information was exposed.[12]
Products
They provide drug distribution and consulting related to medical business operations and patient services. They also distribute a line of brand name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter (OTC) health care products and home health care supplies and equipment to health care providers throughout the United States, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail-order facilities, physicians, clinics and other alternate site facilities, as well as nursing and assisted living centers. They also provide pharmaceuticals and pharmacy services to long-term care, workers' compensation and specialty drug patients.
AmerisourceBergen handles about 20% of all of the pharmaceuticals sold and distributed throughout the United States and ranked 10th on the Fortune 500 list for 2020 with over $179 billion in annual revenue.[13]
Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Good Neighbor Pharmacy is an American retailers' cooperative network of more than 3,400 independently owned and operated pharmacies. It has a business affiliation with AmerisourceBergen, which sponsors the network and owns the name "Good Neighbor Pharmacy."
Distribution of Remdesivir
In June 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an unusual agreement for the distribution of remdesivir, the first coronavirus drug. HHS agreed to manufacturer Gilead's wholesale acquisition price, while HHS would continue to work together with state governments and AmerisourceBergen to allocate shipments of remdesivir vials to American hospitals through the end of September 2020, and in exchange, during that time-frame American patients would be allocated over 90% of Gilead's projected remdesivir output of more than 500,000 treatment courses.[22][23]
Finances
For the fiscal year 2019, AmerisourceBergen reported earnings of US$1.11 billion, with an annual revenue of US$179.58 billion. AmerisourceBergen's shares traded at over $88 per share, and its market capitalization was valued at over US$19.2 billion in September 2019.[24]
Controversies
Opioid epidemic
AmerisourceBergen is among several distributors that have been sued by West Virginia for contributing to the opioid epidemic in the United States, by shipping inordinate amounts of pain medication into the state.[25][26][27]
In December 2019, Michigan became the first state to sue AmerisourceBergen and three other opioid distributors as drug dealers for their role in the state's opioid crisis.[28][29] The lawsuit is filed under the Michigan Drug Dealer Liability Act.[30]
External links
References
- D Mark Durcan Bloomberg, retrieved 2026-04-09^
- US SEC: Form 10-K AmerisourceBergen United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 25 November 2025^
- AmerisourceBergen, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Aug 30, 2001 secdatabase.com, retrieved January 7, 2013