Virksomheden blev etableret i 1971 som ''Cardinal Foods'' af Robert D. Walter og var oprindeligt en fødevaregrossist.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Mark|title=Cardinal Health CEO Quietly Builds Powerful Company|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20030226/News/608096394|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-16|website=The Ledger|language=en}}{{Dødt link|date=oktober 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Efter opkøb af ''Bailey Drug Company'' i 1979, begyndte de som lægemiddelgrossist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2006-10-03|title=THE CARDINAL RULES: GROWTH, AGILITY: CARDINAL CEO ROBERT WALTER HAS USED RELENTLESS DEALMAKING TO BUILD A DIVERSE HEALTHCARE GIANT|url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/19990419/PREMIUM/904190325/the-cardinal-rules-growth-agility-cardinal-ceo-robert-walter-has-used-relentless-dealmaking-to-build-a-diverse-hea|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Modern Healthcare|language=en}}</ref>
Sundhed Organisationer