The largest US drugstore operator Walgreens Boots Alliance has made a takeover approach to drug distributor AmerisourceBergen the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, outlining a deal that would accelerate healthcare sector consolidation.
Walgreens is valued at $67.82 billion and AmerisourceBergen has a market capitalization of US$19.65 billion, according to WSJ.
Healthcare payers and pharmacies are responding to a shifting landscape, including changes in the US Affordable Care Act, rising drug prices and the threat of competition from online retailers such as Amazon.com.
A new deal by Walgreens would follow the US$69 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna Inc by drugstore rival CVS Health Corp and would also reflect a move toward vertical consolidation, where members of a supply chain combine.
Full Content: The Wall Street Journal
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