MEDICAL SUPPLIES: Five Medical Wholesalers to Create Web Site
To further "streamline the medical supply chain," five of the country's largest distributors of health care products are joining forces to launch a "Web-based marketplace for purchasing drugs, supplies and laboratory products." The founders of the new venture -- AmeriSource Health Corp., Cardinal Health Inc., Fisher Scientific International Inc., McKesson HBOC Inc. and Owens Minor Inc. -- said they "collectively act as middlemen" for 70% of products used by hospitals, doctors and nursing homes nationwide. The companies hope the site, NewHealthExchange.com, will "simplify the complex order process and establish industry standards." They anticipate a finalized joint-venture agreement in July and plan to launch the site by the end of the year (Rundle, Wall Street Journal, 4/19).
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