Shareholders OK Drug Wholesalers’ Merger

The proposed merger of major drug wholesalers Bergen Brunswig Corp. of Orange and Cardinal Health of Dublin, Ohio, was approved Friday by shareholders of both companies. The $2.4-billion transaction still has to clear major regulatory hurdles, however. Critics are concerned that the deal, along with McKesson Corp.’s proposed purchase of rival drug wholesaler AmeriSource Health Corp., would give the combined companies enough market clout to raise drug prices for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission has been reviewing both deals for months, and a Cardinal Health official said it’s unclear when the commission will make its decision. The agency could permit the merger as proposed, require some changes or sue to prevent the deal.