As a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory supplies, and distributor of pharmaceutical products, Cardinal Health is an essential link in the healthcare supply chain. Our mission is now more important than ever as we work to quickly get critical medicines and supplies into the hands of our healthcare provider customers who need them.
We are working across our entire network in a variety of ways – increasing our manufacturing of needed products, leveraging our global footprint and relationships with partner suppliers to get products to our healthcare provider customers as quickly as possible, aggressively evaluating additional suppliers to diversify product options, and collaborating creatively with public and private sector partners.
We know healthcare providers are looking for partners that can provide visibility and reliability of supply of products so they can effectively plan their clinical approach, as well as determine what supply or purchasing adjustments may need to be made to achieve sustainable patient and staff support. As a trusted partner, we are building a Predictive Supply Health solution to help customers proactively prepare for upcoming supply constraints or supply normality to support procedural volume or pandemic preparedness.
Collaborating with industry partners and the U.S. federal government
We are actively collaborating with suppliers to understand and manage the impact of the pandemic on product supply. We are partnering closely with trade groups including Health Industry Distributors Association, Healthcare Distribution Alliance, National Community Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Healthcare Ready, and AdvaMed to respond to industry wide challenges. And we are engaging with customers, leading experts, and government officials to help deliver products where they are urgently needed.
Our government collaboration includes working with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support federal and state response efforts.
Keeping our employees safe
Protecting the health and safety of our employees and their families is vital. Because we are part of a critical infrastructure industry, our employees continue to report to work daily in distribution centers, supply chain operations, manufacturing sites, pharmacies and other clinical sites. Their efforts are essential to the healthcare system and deeply appreciated.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the safety of these critical frontline employees, all facilities are thoroughly cleaned regularly, and we have implemented worksite hygiene practices in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization guidelines. To recognize the important contributions made by these frontline employees who are truly living out Cardinal Health’s mission, we are providing a special incentive to those required to report to a facility to work.
All employees who are able to work remotely are working from home. We have significantly expanded our technology infrastructure to help our employees around the globe perform their duties and continue to support customers, patients and our front-line associates.
All non-essential travel has been prohibited since March 2, 2020, and access to our facilities by visitors and third-party vendors has been severely restricted. We also put policies in place to ensure that employees who are sick with or who have been exposed to COVID-19 can take time off, which does not impact their paid-time-off days for the year.
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves on a daily basis, we are closely monitoring developments and adapting our operations.
