AmerisourceBergen acquires Walgreens' Alliance Healthcare for $6.5B

Nearly three years after Pharmaceutical Commerce began reporting on what was only a rumor at the time (albeit details were reversed), drug wholesaler AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC) will be purchasing the majority of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)’s Alliance Healthcare businesses for approximately $6.5 billion, consisting of $6.275 billion in cash and 2 million shares of ABC common stock.

ABC’s acquisition of Alliance Healthcare, Walgreens said in a release, will provide even stronger support for pharmacies and pharmacists on an international level, while also providing integrated solutions for drug manufacturers. WBA will be able to increase its effort toward growing its retail pharmacy businesses by bringing more healthcare offerings to patients and customers.

The two companies are also extending and expanding their commercial agreements—their US distribution agreement will be extended by three years until 2029, while their partnership will now include a commitment to pursue more sourcing and distribution leads. Alliance Healthcare UK will remain WBA’s distribution partner until 2031.