Rudy Lai

AI @ McKesson

Pharmaceutical distributor
Industry
Last updated
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Summary

  • McKesson has progressively integrated AI across its healthcare supply chain, oncology data processing, and customer engagement functions from 2019 through 2025, emphasizing predictive analytics, virtual assistants, and large language models.
  • Key initiatives include McKesson's partnership with Google Cloud to centralize data and use AI for healthcare predictions, adoption of chatbots and agent assistance technologies in 2022, and leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI technology by 2024 to transform unstructured oncology data with their Genuity platform.
  • Recent advancements focus on AI-driven supply chain disruption predictions, precision oncology solutions, and deploying AI roles like AIOps and AI Integration Architects to scale automation and innovation, demonstrating increasing AI maturity and a strategic push to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience.

VIBE METER

More AI announcements = more VIBE
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5 AI Use Cases at McKesson

Prior Authorization
2025
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
Supporting precision oncology and payer prior authorization processes through AI platforms to reduce administrative burdens and accelerate care delivery. [1]
Workflow Automation
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
Deployment of AI roles and architectures such as AIOps Architect and AI Integration Architect to design and optimize AI-based automation and analytics across operations. [1][2]
Data Transformation
2024
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
Use of large language models and AI to transform vast amounts of unstructured oncology data into structured, clinically relevant insights to support real-world evidence generation. [1][2][3]
Supply Disruption
2024
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Risk
McKesson uses AI-powered predictive analytics to anticipate supply chain disruptions and shortages, allowing them to proactively manage inventory and mitigate risk. [1]
Customer Interaction
2022
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Implementation of Interactive Virtual Assistants and chatbots to improve customer engagement and operational efficiencies, enhancing the overall customer experience. [1]

Timeline

2025 Q4: no updates

2025 Q3

1 updates

McKesson's AI strategy leverages logistics scale and Rx technology innovation to dominate healthcare supply chain, distribution, and medication management.

2025 Q2

4 updates

Showcased AI integration in healthcare provider solutions with postings for AI Integration Architect role; highlighted logistics AI innovations on LinkedIn; RISA Labs raised funding for AI prior authorization platform.

2025 Q1

3 updates

Continued AI focus showcased at the 2024 ASHP Midyear meeting; Ontada leveraged Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to process 150 million unstructured oncology documents; McKesson hired AIOps Architect roles to drive automation.

2024 Q4

2 updates

Ontada collaborated with Microsoft and Datavant to utilize Azure OpenAI technology within the GenuityTM platform for transforming unstructured oncology data, driving advanced real-world data analytics.

2024 Q3: no updates

2024 Q2

1 updates

Expanded deployment and scaling of AI capabilities and predictive analytics to anticipate supply chain disruptions and shortages, enhancing operational resilience.

2024 Q1

1 updates

Showcased revolutionary AI applications driving efficiency in healthcare operations, including advanced data analytics and customer engagement strategies.

2023 Q4

1 updates

McKesson shared three AI use cases facilitated by partnerships, acquisitions, and corporate investments, marking a strategic approach to expand AI capabilities.

2023 Q3

1 updates

Enterprise analytics leadership highlighted the use of supervised and unsupervised machine learning models as foundational to McKesson’s analytics work.

2023 Q2

1 updates

Integration of AI within nuclear medicine to automate routine tasks, allowing physicians to focus on complex decision-making.

2023 Q1: no updates

2022 Q4: no updates

2022 Q3

1 updates

Deployment of Interactive Virtual Assistants, chatbots, and agent assistance technologies to drive organizational efficiencies, highlighting AI use to improve customer interactions and operations.

2022 Q2: no updates

2022 Q1: no updates

2021 Q4: no updates

2021 Q3: no updates

2021 Q2: no updates

2021 Q1: no updates

2020 Q4: no updates

2020 Q3: no updates

2020 Q2: no updates

2020 Q1: no updates

2019 Q4: no updates

2019 Q3

1 updates

Investments in building digital infrastructure to facilitate healthcare AI initiatives internally, signaling commitment to AI adoption.

2019 Q2

1 updates

McKesson partnered with Google Cloud to centralize data management and utilize AI for healthcare predictions, marking the foundational phase of their AI adoption.