By Adam J. Fein, Ph.D. As regular readers of Drug Channels know, U.S. distribution and dispensing channels for prescription drugs are undergoing significant evolution and consolidation as the changing economics of pharmaceuticals challenge conventional business models. During this period of volatility, the core business model of the Big Three public pharmaceutical distribution companies—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—remains intact. Put simply: Buy low, sell high, collect early, and pay late. But as I explain below, wholesalers continue to position themselves as essential intermediaries by expanding their role across the drug channel and strengthening their economic fundamentals. Read on for 10 key pricing, pharmacy, provider, and manufacturer trends that are driving the U.S. drug wholesaling industry. For even more, check out DCI's new 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors , the seventeenth edition of our deep dive into wholesale distribution channels. Click here to download a free report overview (including key industry trends, the table of contents, and a list of exhibits) Read more » © 2006-2026 HMP Omnimedia, LLC d/b/a Drug Channels Institute , an HMP Global Company. All rights reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

Drug Channels Institute is pleased to announce the availability of our 2026-27 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors . The U.S. prescription drug market continues to expand, even as the foundations of the drug channel are shifting. Legislative intervention, pricing realignment, vertical integration, and alternative payment models are accelerating a transition away from a rebate-driven system built on high list prices and toward a marketplace increasingly shaped by net prices. DCI’s seventeenth annual report examines what these changes mean for the pharmaceutical wholesalers and specialty distributors at the center of the U.S. drug channel. With nine chapters, more than 430 pages, 193 exhibits, and more than 940 endnotes, this report is unmatched in scope and depth. Order today to download the fully updated, revised, and expanded 2026-27 edition at special launch prices. Special launch prices will be available through October 26, 2026 . Act now to maximize your savings. Download a free report overview (Industry Trends, What's New, Table of Contents, List of Exhibits) Review pricing and license options and download now You can pay online with all major credit cards. Contact us if you prefer to pay by corporate check or ACH. The chart below highlights the vertical alignment and diverse roles of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson within the U.S. healthcare system. The circled numbers identify the report chapters that explain and analyze each business. [Click to enlarge] The new edition provides the most current financial and industry data about pharmaceutical distribution. Among the major findings and expanded areas of coverage: Drug distribution revenues for the Big Three public wholesalers are projected to reach $933 billion in 2026, although revenue growth has slowed from double-digit to mid-single-digit rates. The largest wholesalers have invested more than $20 billion in physician management services organizations, transforming their roles in buy-and-bill markets. Changes in drug pricing, direct-to-patient models, and other emerging channels are accelerating the industry’s transition toward a Net Pricing Drug Channel. The report examines the evolving economics of biosimilars, cell and gene therapies, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. DCI’s proprietary economic models reveal differences in the business strategies, market positions, financial performance, and underlying profitability of Cencora, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. There are 193 exhibits in the 2026-27 edition, compared with 187 in last year’s report. Most are new or fully updated. See pages 9 and 10 of the free report overview for full details about the notable new material in the 2026-27 edition. Thank you for your continued interest in our research. Please email us ( dcisupport@hmpglobal.com ) with any questions before purchasing. We look forward to helping you succeed in the evolving U.S. drug channel. © 2006-2026 HMP Omnimedia, LLC d/b/a Drug Channels Institute , an HMP Global Company. All rights reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

Today's guest post comes from Meghal Patel, Chief Product Officer for Truzo at Model N. Meghal examines why claims-level transparency has become increasingly important as manufacturers navigate the growing complexity of 340B and other drug pricing programs. He argues that greater visibility into pricing, discounts, and utilization can help manufacturers move beyond compliance to improve gross-to-net (GTN) management, revenue forecasting, and strategic decision-making. To learn more, watch the webinar: From Program Silos to GTN Transparency: A Unified View with Model N + Truzo . Read on for Meghal's insights. Read more » © 2006-2026 HMP Omnimedia, LLC d/b/a Drug Channels Institute , an HMP Global Company. All rights reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.