McKesson completes OTN integration; renames unit ‘McKesson Specialty Care Solutions’

SAN FRANCISCO McKesson Co. has announced the new name of its specialty pharmaceutical business unit: “McKesson Specialty Care Solutions.” This arm of McKesson will now cover McKesson Specialty and the recently acquired Oncology Therapeutics Network. McKesson is now the No. 1 rheumatology pharmaceuticals distributor, as well as the second biggest specialty pharmaceutical distributor in the United States.

“Our new name reflects the complete spectrum of services we provide to the specialty pharmaceutical market, which is the fastest-growing and most dynamic segment of healthcare today. … With the integration of OTN complete, we are aligned to provide superior support to every stakeholder in the specialty healthcare continuum, from biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturers, to oncology and other specialty physician practices, to payers,” Patrick Blake, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions president, said.

McKesson also acquired Onmark, a group purchasing organization that focuses on community-based oncology. McKesson, which has acquired the National Oncology Alliance in 2006, successfully folded NOA and Onmark into a single GPO with the Onmark banner. More than 2,700 member practices and 4,700 physicians are now represented by the merger.

With its recent acquisitions, McKesson has also been growing its technology portfolio, adding OTN’s proprietary Lynx technology platform which will be integrated with TotalView reimbursement program for manufacturers and providers.