San Francisco-based McKesson announced it has agreed to purchase Per-Se Technologies, Alpharetta, Ga., in a deal worth $1.8 billion. The purchase is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007 if it meets regulatory approval.
McKesson’s strength will be further extended in the pharmacy software systems arena, and the acquisition also gives the company a strong presence in the small physician-office practice-management software systems market, where Per-Se had obtained a dominant position following its August 2005 acquisition of the physician, hospital and retail pharmacy business of NDC Health for a reported $644 million.
McKesson is one of the three largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in the U.S., with revenue of nearly $22.4 billion in its fiscal year second quarter ended Sept. 30.