Hospital Medicine Supplier to Buy Distributor

Bergen Brunswig Corp., which bills itself as the nation’s largest supplier of pharmaceuticals to hospitals, said Thursday that it has signed an agreement to acquire a privately held medical-surgical supply distributor in Seattle.

Bergen said it will buy Biddle & Crowther Co. through the issuance of Bergen stock, although exact terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in January.

Biddle & Crowther operates in seven states with distribution centers in Seattle and Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Anchorage, Alaska, and Salt Lake City. The company had 1993 revenue of $45 million. By contrast, Bergen had revenue last year of $7.5 billion.