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McKesson

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FY2004 Annual Report · McKesson
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 
_____________  
FORM 10-K 

⌧  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 

OR 

(cid:133)  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE  SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

Commission File Number 1-13252 
_____________  
McKESSON CORPORATION 
A Delaware Corporation 

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 
94-3207296 

McKesson Plaza 
One Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 
Telephone (415) 983-8300 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

(Title of Each Class) 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value 

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights 

(Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered) 
New York Stock Exchange 
Pacific Exchange, Inc. 
New York Stock Exchange 
Pacific Exchange, Inc. 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None. 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  Registrant  (1)  has  filed  all  reports  required  to  be  filed  by  Section  13  or 
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
Registrant  was  required  to  file  such  reports),  and  (2)  has been  subject  to  such  filing  requirements  for  the  past  90 
days.  Yes  ⌧     No  (cid:133) 

Indicate  by  check  mark  if  disclosure  of  delinquent  filers  pursuant  to  Item  405  of  Regulation  S-K  is  not 
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information 
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  (cid:133) 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer.  Yes  ⌧     No  (cid:133) 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to 
the  closing  price  as  of  the  last  business  day  of  the  registrant’s  most  recently  completed  second  fiscal  quarter, 
September 2003, was approximately $9.7 billion. 

Number of shares of common stock outstanding on May 31, 2004: 292,806,817 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 28, 2004 

are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. 

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Item 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

PART I 

Business...........................................................................................................................................  

Properties.........................................................................................................................................  

Legal Proceedings ...........................................................................................................................  

Page 

3 

8 

8 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders .....................................................................  

17 

Executive Officers of the Registrant ...............................................................................................  

18 

PART II 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and  
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities..............................................................................................  

19 

Selected Financial Data ....................................................................................................................  

19 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition  ..........  

19 

7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..........................................................  

19 

8. 

9. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................................................................................  

19 

Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ...........  

20 

9A. 

Control and Procedures.....................................................................................................................  

20 

PART III 

10. 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ..........................................................................  

20 

11. 

Executive Compensation ..................................................................................................................  

20 

12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters..............................................................................................................................................  

20 

13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...............................................................................  

23 

14. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services ...........................................................................................  

23 

15. 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K ................................................  

23 

Signatures .........................................................................................................................................  

24 

PART IV 

 2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

PART I 

Item 1. 

Business 

General 

McKesson Corporation (“McKesson,” the “Company,” the “Registrant,” or “we” and other similar pronouns), is 
a  Fortune  16  corporation  providing  supply,  information  and  care  management  products  and  services  designed  to 
reduce costs and improve quality across the healthcare industry. 

The Company’s fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31.  Unless otherwise noted, all references in 

this document to a particular year shall mean the Company’s fiscal year. 

Our  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  Quarterly  Reports  on  Form  10-Q,  Current  Reports  on  Form  8-K  and 
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are available free of charge on our Web site (www.mckesson.com under the “Investors – 
SEC Filings” caption) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it 
to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or the “Commission”). 

Business Segments 

We  conduct  our  business  through  three  segments.    Through  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment,  we  are  a 
leading distributor of ethical and proprietary drugs, and health and beauty care products throughout North America.  
This  segment  also  manufactures  and  sells  automated  pharmaceutical  dispensing  systems  for  hospitals  and  retail 
pharmacies,  medical  management  and  specialty  pharmaceutical  solutions  for  biotech  and  pharmaceutical 
manufacturers,  patient  and  payor  services,  consulting  and  outsourcing  services  to  pharmacies  and  distribution  of 
first-aid  products  in  the  United  States.    Our  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distributes  medical-surgical 
supplies  and  equipment,  and  provides  logistics  and  related  services  within  the  United  States.    Our  Information 
Solutions segment delivers enterprise-wide patient care, clinical, financial, supply chain, managed care and strategic 
management  software  solutions,  as  well  as  outsourcing  and  other  services,  to  healthcare  organizations  throughout 
North  America,  the  United  Kingdom  and  other  European  countries.    The  Company’s  strategy  is  to  create  strong, 
value-based  relationships  with  customers,  enabling  us  to  sell  additional  products  and  services  to  these  customers 
over time.   

In response to changes in our business environment, in April 2004 the Company reorganized certain businesses 
within these reportable segments.  Our 2004 Form 10-K has been prepared based on operating segments in effect at 
March  31,  2004.    Supplemental  financial  information  regarding  our  operating  segments  under  our  new 
organizational  structure  is  included  under  the  caption  “2005  Operating  Segments”  as  presented  in  the  Financial 
Review included in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial 
Condition”. 

Net revenues for our segments for the last three years were as follows: 

(Dollars in billions) 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 

Total 

Pharmaceutical Solutions 

2004 

2003 

2002 

$  65.6
2.7
1.2

93%  $  46.3
2.7
1.0
$  69.5 100%  $  57.1  100%  $  50.0

94%  $  53.2 
2.8 
1.1 

4 
2 

5 
2 

93% 
5 
2 
100% 

Our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  consists  of  the  following  businesses:  Pharmaceutical  Distribution, 
McKesson Canada Corporation, Automation, Medical Management, Specialty Pharmaceutical Services and ZEE® 
Medical.  We also have a 22% interest in Nadro, S.A. de C.V. (“Nadro”).   

U.S. Pharmaceutical Distribution.  This business supplies pharmaceuticals and other healthcare related products 
to more than 40,000 customers in three primary customer segments: national and regional retail chains, institutional 
providers, and retail independent pharmacies.   

 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

The U.S. Pharmaceutical Distribution business operates and serves over 30,000 locations through a network of 
28 distribution centers, as well as a master distribution center and a repackaging facility, serving all 50 states.  We 
invest  in  technology  and other  systems  at  all  of our distribution  centers  to  enhance safety,  reliability  and  the  best 
product  availability  for  our  customers.    For  example,  in  all  of  our  distribution  centers  we  use  Acumax®  Plus,  a 
Smithsonian  award-winning technology,  which  integrates  and  tracks  all  internal  functions,  such  as  receiving,  put-
away and order fulfillment.  Acumax® Plus uses bar code technology, wrist-mounted computer hardware, and radio 
frequency  signals  to  provide  our  customers  with  industry  leading  order  quality  and  fulfillment  at  up  to  99.9% 
accuracy.    Closed  Loop  DistributionSM,  which  integrates  portable  Palm  technology  with  Acumax®  Plus  to  give 
customers complete ordering and inventory control, and Supply Management OnlineSM, an Internet-based ordering, 
purchasing,  third-party  reconciliation  and  account  management  system,  help  ensure  that  our  customers  have  the 
right products at the right time for their facilities and patients. 

Our  investment  in  operational  performance  also  includes  Six  Sigma  –  an  analytical  methodology  that 
emphasizes setting high quality objectives, collecting data, and analyzing results to a fine degree in order to improve 
processes to reduce costs and errors.  Furthermore, we are implementing information systems to help achieve greater 
consistency and accuracy both internally and for our customers.   

The  U.S.  Pharmaceutical  Distribution  business’  major  value-added  offerings,  by  customer  group,  include  the 

following:  

Retail  Chains  (drug  stores,  food/drug  combinations,  mail  order  pharmacies,  and  mass  merchandisers)  –  Business 
solutions that help chains increase revenues and profitability: 

•  Rx-PakSM  –  Bulk  repackaging  leverages  our  purchasing  power  and  supplier  relationships,  offers 
pharmaceuticals at reduced prices, helps increase inventory turns and reduces working capital investment; 
•  Central  Fill  – Improves  pharmacy  productivity  and reduces  costs by  managing prescription refill  volume 

• 

remotely; 
Inventory  Management  Solutions  –  Reduces  inventory  carrying  costs  through  forecasting  integrated  with 
automated replenishment technologies; and 

•  Re-Distribution Centers – Two large facilities which offer access to inventory for single source purchasing, 

including pharmaceuticals and biologicals. 

Retail  Independent  Pharmacies  –  Marketing,  merchandising,  operational  efficiencies  and  industry  leadership  that 
help pharmacists focus on patient care while improving profitability: 

•  Valu-Rite®  and  Health  Mart®  –  Networks  of  independent  pharmacies  that  leverage  group  branding  and 

purchasing power; 

•  AccessHealth  –  Saves  time  and  costs  through  comprehensive  managed  care  and  reconciliation  assistance 

services; 

•  McKesson OneStop Generics SM – Helps pharmacies maximize their cost savings with a broad selection of 

rebate-eligible generic drugs, lower up-front pricing and one-stop shopping; and 

•  Pharma 360 – Profitability analysis tool that helps pharmacists measure and compare results with their local 

and national competitors. 

Institutional  Providers  (hospitals  and  health  systems,  integrated  delivery  networks,  clinics  and  other  acute-care 
facilities,  and  long-term  care  providers)  –  Electronic  ordering/purchasing  and  supply  chain  management  systems 
that help improve efficiencies, save labor and improve capital: 

•  Fulfill-RxTM  –  Streamlines  pharmacy  inventory  replenishing,  automates  inventory  re-ordering,  and 

optimizes medication cabinet inventory to easily value the pharmacy’s total inventory investment; 

•  Asset  Management  –  Comprehensive  program  designed  to  deliver  improved  inventory  management 

controls; and 

•  Medication  Management  –  Complete  pharmacy  management  focused  on  improving  patient  outcomes  by 

increasing drug safety, developing pharmacy staff, and streamlining administrative processes. 

International Pharmaceutical Distribution.  Consists of McKesson Canada Corporation (formerly Medis Health 
and  Pharmaceutical  Services,  Inc.),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  the  largest  pharmaceutical  distributor  in  Canada.  
We also have a 22% equity interest in Nadro, the leading pharmaceutical distributor in Mexico.   

Automation.  Manufactures and markets automated pharmacy and supply management systems and services to 
hospitals  through  its  McKesson  Automation  Inc.  unit  and  to  retail  pharmacies  through  its  McKesson  Automation 
Pharmacy Systems unit.  Key products and services include: 

 4

 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

McKesson Automation Inc.: 

•  ROBOT-Rx™ system, a robotic pharmacy dispensing and utilization tracking system that enables hospitals 

to lower pharmacy costs while significantly improving the accuracy of pharmaceutical dispensing; 

•  AcuDose-Rx™, a unit-based cabinet that automates the storage, dispensing and tracking of commonly used 

drugs in patient areas; 

•  Admin-Rx™,  a  system  that  records,  automates,  and  streamlines  drug  administration  and  medication 

information requirements through bar code scanning at the patient’s bedside; 

•  Fulfill-Rx™,  software  that  streamlines  pharmacy  inventory  management  and  replenishment  through 

connection with McKesson pharmaceutical distribution; and 

•  SupplyScanSM,  a  solution  that  tracks  consumption  of  medical  supplies  through  secure  cabinetry  and  bar-

code scanning at point-of-use. 

McKesson Automation Pharmacy Systems: 

•  A  wide  range  of    pharmacy  counting  and  weighing  technologies  including    Baker  Cells®,    Baker 
Cassettes®  and  AccuMed™  powered  by  AutoLink™,  modular  counting  and  dispensing  units,  and  the 
Baker Universal 2010™ and AccuCount™ , counting and weighing prescription scales; 

•  AutoScript III® and AccuScript™ – Robotic dispensing system designed for accuracy and throughput with 

new, modular, variable capacity design; 

•  Pharmacy  2000®  –  Productivity  workflow  software  system  that  provides  stand-alone  reporting  and 
prescription  tracking  value.    It  also  drives  automation  systems  in  a  logical  task  order  to  improve 
productivity throughout the prescription fulfillment process; 

•  Productivity Station™ – An easy-to-use interactive workstation system for customers desiring a compact, 

multi-tasking automation unit; and 

•  All APS technologies are designed for bar-coded accuracy, efficiency, productivity, reliability, speed and 

ease of use by the pharmacy staff.  

Medical Management.  The following suite of services and software products is marketed to payors, employers 

and government organizations to help manage the cost and quality of care:  

•  Disease management programs to improve overall healthcare of a patient;  
•  Nurse triage services to direct patients to the appropriate level of care;  
•  Clinical and analytical software to support utilization, case and disease management workflow;  
•  Business intelligence tools for measuring, reporting and improving clinical and financial performance; and  
• 

InterQual® Criteria for clinical decision support.  

Specialty  Pharmaceutical  Services. 

  This  business’  product-specific  solutions  are  directed 

towards 
manufacturers,  payors  and  physicians  to  enable  delivery  and  administration  of  high-cost,  often  injectable,  bio-
pharmaceutical drugs used to treat patients with chronic disease.  The business facilitates patient and provider access 
to  specialty  pharmaceuticals  across  multiple  delivery  channels  (direct-to-physician  wholesale,  patient-direct 
specialty pharmacy dispensing, and access to retail pharmacy), provides clinical support and treatment compliance 
programs  that  help  patients  stay  on  complex  therapies,  and  offers  reimbursement,  data  collection  and  analysis 
services.  

ZEE® Medical.  North America's leading provider of first aid, safety, and training solutions, providing services 
to industrial and commercial customers.  This business offers an extensive line of products and services aimed at 
maximizing  headcount  productivity  and  minimizing  the  liability  and  cost  associated  with  workplace  illnesses  and 
injuries.   

Medical–Surgical Solutions  

Our Medical-Surgical Solutions segment provides medical-surgical supply distribution, equipment, logistics and 
related  services  to  healthcare  providers  that  include  hospitals,  physicians’  offices,  surgery  centers,  extended  care 
facilities,  and  homecare  sites  through  a  network  of  35  distribution  centers  within  the  U.S.    This  segment  is  the 
nation’s third largest distributor of medical-surgical supplies to hospitals (acute care) and is the leading provider of 
supplies  to  the  full  range  of  alternate-site  healthcare  facilities,  including  physicians’  offices,  clinics  and  surgery 
centers  (primary  care),  long-term  care  facilities  and  homecare  sites  (extended  care).    Supply  Management  On-
LineSM,  an  electronic  ordering  system,  provides  an  advanced  tool  for  ordering  medical-surgical  products  over  the 
Internet,  and  the  segment’s  Optipak®  program  allows  physicians  to  customize  ordering  of  supplies  according  to 
individual surgical procedure preferences.   

 5

 
 
 
 
 
Information Solutions 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

Our  Information  Solutions  segment  provides  a  comprehensive  portfolio  of  software,  support  and  services  to 
help healthcare organizations improve patient safety, reduce the cost and variability of care, and better manage their 
resources  and  revenue  stream.    The  segment  markets  its  products  and  services  to  integrated  delivery  networks, 
hospitals,  physician  group  practices,  home  health  providers,  managed  care  providers  and  payors.    Approximately 
sixty percent of hospital-based integrated delivery networks in the U.S. use one or more products from this segment.  
The segment also sells its solutions internationally through subsidiaries and/or distribution agreements in Canada, 
the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.  

The  product  portfolio  for  the  Information  Solutions  segment  is  organized  into  three  major  solutions  sets  – 
clinical  management,  revenue  cycle  management  and  resource  management  –  with  a  variety  of  subsets  of  these 
solutions designed to address specific healthcare business issues (e.g., physician access, medication safety, etc.).  To 
ensure that organizations achieve the maximum value for their information technology investment, the Information 
Solutions segment also offers a wide range of services to support the implementation and use of solutions as well as 
assist  with  business  and  clinical  re-design,  process  re-engineering  and  staffing  (both  information  technology  and 
back-office). 

Clinical  management.    The  segment’s  clinical  solutions  are  designed  to  enable  organizations  to  improve 
medication  safety,  accelerate  physician  utilization  of  healthcare  information  technology  and  reduce  variability  in 
healthcare  quality  and  costs.    The  clinical  management  solution  set,  known  as  Horizon  ClinicalsTM,  is  built  using 
architecture  to  facilitate  integration  and  enable  modular  deployment  of  systems.    It  includes  a  clinical  data 
repository,  document  imaging,  medical  imaging,  real-time  decision  support,  point-of-care  nursing  documentation, 
enterprise laboratory and pharmacy, an emergency department solution and an ambulatory medical record.  Horizon 
ClinicalsTM  also  includes  solutions  to  facilitate  physician  access  to  patient  information  such  as  a  Web-based 
physician portal and wireless devices that draw on information from the hospital’s information systems. 

Revenue  cycle  management.    The  segment’s  revenue  cycle  solution  is  designed  to  reduce  days  in  accounts 
receivable, prevent insurance claim denials, reduce costs and improve productivity for our customers.  Examples of 
solutions  include  contract  management,  electronic  claims  processing  and  coding  compliance  checking.    The 
segment’s hospital information systems also play a key role in revenue cycle  management by working with these 
solutions  to  automate  the  operation  of  individual  departments  and  their  respective  functions  within  the  inpatient 
environment.   

Resource  management.    The  segment’s  resource  management  solutions  consist  of  an  integrated  suite  of 
applications that enhance an organization’s ability to forecast and optimize enterprise-wide use of resources (labor, 
supplies,  equipment  and  facilities)  associated  with  the  delivery  of  care.    These  solutions  help  automate  and  link 
resource  requirements  to  care  protocols  designed  to  increase  profitability,  enhance  decision-making,  and  improve 
business processes. 

In addition to the product offerings described above, the segment offers a comprehensive range of services to 
help organizations derive greater value from, and enhance satisfaction and return on investment throughout the life 
of the solutions implemented.  The range of services includes: 

Technology Services.  The segment has worked with numerous healthcare organizations to support the smooth 
operation  of  their  information  systems  by  providing  the  technical  infrastructure  designed  to  maximize  application 
accessibility, availability, security and performance. 

Professional  Services.    Professional  services  help  customers  achieve  business  results  from  their  software 
investment.    The  segment  offers  a wide  array  of quality  service options including  consulting  for  business process 
improvement  and  re-design,  as  well  as  implementation,  project  management,  technical,  and  education  services 
relating to all products in the Information Solutions segment.  

Outsourcing Services.  The segment helps organizations focus their resources where needed while the segment 
manages  their  information  technology  or  revenue  cycle  operations  through  outsourcing.    Outsourcing  service 
options include managing hospital data processing operations, as well as strategic information systems planning and 
management,  revenue  cycle  processes,  payroll  processing,  business  office  administration,  and  major  system 
conversions. 

 6

 
Acquisitions, Investments and Divestitures   

McKESSON CORPORATION 

We  have  undertaken  strategic  initiatives  in  recent  years  designed  to  further  focus  on  our  core  healthcare 
businesses  and  enhance  our  competitive  position.   These  initiatives  are detailed  in  Financial  Notes 2 and  3  to  the 
consolidated financial statements, “Acquisitions” and “Discontinued Operations and Other Divestitures,” appearing 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Competition 

In  every  area  of  healthcare  distribution  operations,  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  and  Medical-Surgical 
Solutions  segments  face  strong  competition,  both  in  price  and  service,  from  national,  regional  and  local  full-line, 
short-line and specialty wholesalers, service merchandisers, self-warehousing chains, and manufacturers engaged in 
direct  distribution.    In  addition,  these  segments  face  competition  from  various  other  service  providers  and  from 
pharmaceutical and other healthcare manufacturers (as well as other potential customers of the segments) which may 
from  time  to  time  decide  to  develop,  for  their  own  internal  needs,  supply  management  capabilities  which  are 
provided  by  the  segments  and  other  competing  service  providers.    Price,  quality  of  service,  and,  in  some  cases, 
convenience to the customer are generally the principal competitive elements in these segments. 

Our  Information  Solutions  segment  experiences  substantial  competition  from  many  firms,  including  other 
computer services firms, consulting firms, shared service vendors, certain hospitals and hospital groups, hardware 
vendors and Internet-based companies with technology applicable to the healthcare industry.  Competition varies in 
size  from  small  to  large  companies,  in  geographical  coverage,  and  in  scope  and  breadth  of  products  and  services 
offered. 

Intellectual Property  

The  principal  trademarks  and  service  marks  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  and  Medical-Surgical  Solutions 
segments include: ECONOLINK®, VALU-RITE®, Valu-Rite/CareMax®, McKesson OneStop GenericsSM, Health 
Mart®,  ASK-A-NURSE,  Episode  Profiler,  InterQual,  coSource®,  ROBOT-Rx™,  AutoscriptTM,  Acumax® 
Plus,  AcuDose-Rx™,  AcuScan-Rx™,  Admin-Rx™,  Rx-PakSM,  Pak  Plus-Rx,  SelfPace,  Baker  Cells™,  Baker 
Cassettes™,  Baker  Universal™,  Autoscript™,  Pharmacy  2000™,  Productivity  Station™,  CRMS,  Patterns 
Profiler, CareEnhanceSM, Closed Loop DistributionSM, .com Pharmacy Solutions®, Fulfill-Rx™ , SupplyScanSM, 
Supply  Management  OnLineSM,  Optipak®,  Comets®,  e-Comets™,  MediNet™,  OPTIMA®,  and  XVIII  B  Medi 
Mart®. 

The  substantial  majority  of  technical  concepts  and  codes  embodied  in  our  Information  Solutions  segment’s 
computer  programs  and  program  documentation  are  not  protected  by  patents  or  copyrights  but  constitute  trade 
secrets that are proprietary to us.  The principal trademarks and service marks for this segment are: HealthQuest®, 
Paragon®,  Pathways  2000®,  TRENDSTAR®,  Horizon  Clinicals,  HorizonWP®,  Series  2000,  STAR  2000 
and PracticePoint®.   

We  also  own  other  registered  and  unregistered  trademarks  and  service  marks  and  similar  rights  used  by  our 
business  segments.    All  of  the  principal  trademarks  and  service  marks  are  registered  in  the  United  States,  or 
registrations have been applied for with respect to such marks, in addition to certain other jurisdictions.  The United 
States federal registrations of these trademarks have terms of ten or twenty years, depending on date of registration, 
and are subject to unlimited renewals.  We believe we have taken all necessary steps to preserve the registration and 
duration  of  our  trademarks  and  service  marks,  although  no  assurance  can  be  given  that  we  will  be  able  to 
successfully enforce or protect our rights there under in the event that they are subject to third-party infringement 
claims.  We do not, however, consider any particular patent, license, franchise or concession to be material to our 
business. 

Other Information About the Business 

Customers.  In recent years, a significant portion of our revenue growth has been with a limited number of large 
customers.  During 2004, sales to our largest customer, Rite Aid Corporation, and ten largest customers accounted 
for approximately 11% and 50% of our total consolidated revenues.  At March 31, 2004, accounts receivable from 
Rite Aid Corporation and our ten largest customers were approximately 8% and 50% of total accounts receivable.  
The majority of these revenues and accounts receivable are included in our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment. 

 7

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

Research  and  Development.    Our  research  and  development  (“R&D”)  expenditures  primarily  consist  of  our 
investment in software development held for sale.  We expended $230.4 million, $203.2 million, and $183.7 million 
for  R&D  activities  in  2004,  2003  and  2002,  and  of  these  amounts,  we  capitalized  25%,  26%  and  26%.    R&D 
expenditures  are  incurred  by  our  Information  Solutions  segment  and  our  Medical  Management  and  Automation 
businesses.    Our  Information  Solutions  segment’s  product  development  efforts  apply  computer  technology  and 
installation  methodologies  to  specific  information  processing  needs  of  hospitals.    We  believe  a  substantial  and 
sustained  commitment  to  such  expenditures  is  important  to  the  long-term  success  of  this  business.    Additional 
information regarding our R&D activities is included in Financial Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, 
“Significant Accounting Policies,” appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Environmental  Legislation.    We  sold  our  chemical  distribution  operations  in  1987  and  retained  responsibility 
for  certain  environmental  obligations.    Agreements  with  the  Environmental  Protection  Agency  and  certain  states 
may require environmental assessments and cleanups at several closed sites.  These matters are described further in 
Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Other than any capital expenditures that may be 
required in connection with those legal matters, we do not anticipate making substantial capital expenditures either 
for environmental issues, or to comply with environmental laws and regulations in the future.  The amount of our 
capital expenditures for environmental compliance was not material in 2004 and is not expected to be material in the 
next year. 

Employees.  On March 31, 2004, we employed approximately 24,600 persons compared to 24,500 in 2003 and 

24,000 in 2002.  

Financial  Information  About  Foreign  and  Domestic  Operations  and  Export  Sales.    Information  as  to  foreign 
operations is included in Financial Notes 1 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements, “Significant Accounting 
Policies” and “Segments of Business,” appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Item 2. 

Properties 

Because of the nature of our principal businesses, plant, warehousing, office and other facilities are operated in 
widely dispersed locations.  The warehouses are typically owned or leased on a long-term basis.  We consider our 
operating properties to be in satisfactory condition and adequate to meet our needs for the next several years without 
making capital expenditures materially higher than historical levels.  Information as to material lease commitments 
is  included  in  Financial  Note  14  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  “Lease  Obligations,”  appearing  in  this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings 

I.  Accounting Litigation 

Since the announcements by the Company in April, May and July of 1999 that it had determined that certain 
software  sales  transactions  in  its  Information  Solutions  segment,  formerly  HBO  &  Company  (“HBOC”)  and  now 
known as McKesson Information Solutions, Inc., were improperly recorded as revenue and reversed, as of March 
31, 2004, ninety-one lawsuits have been filed against McKesson, HBOC, certain of McKesson’s or HBOC’s current 
or former officers or directors, and other defendants, including Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear Stearns”) and Arthur 
Andersen LLP (“Arthur Andersen”). 

Federal Actions 

Sixty-seven of the above mentioned actions have been filed in Federal Court (the “Federal Actions”).  All of the 
undismissed Federal Actions are pending before the Honorable Ronald M. Whyte of the United States District Court 
(the “Court”) for the Northern District of California.  Federal Actions filed as class actions (excluding the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act (commonly known as “ERISA”) actions discussed below) have been consolidated 
into a single action before Judge Whyte under the caption In re McKesson HBOC, Inc. Securities Litigation (Case 
No. C-99-20743 RMW) (the “Consolidated Action”).  As discussed below, some individual Federal Actions are also 
pending  before  Judge  Whyte.    By  order  dated  December  22,  1999,  Judge  Whyte  appointed  the  New  York  State 
Common  Retirement  Fund  as  lead  plaintiff  (“Lead  Plaintiff”)  in  the  Consolidated  Action  and  approved  Lead 
Plaintiff’s choice of counsel.   

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McKESSON CORPORATION 

After the filing of three consolidated complaints and multiple motions by multiple defendants challenging the 
sufficiency  of  those  complaints,  the  pleadings  in  the  case  have  been  set  with  respect  to  McKesson  and  HBOC 
(motions for reconsideration of prior dismissal orders issued by Judge Whyte have been filed by Arthur Andersen 
and Bear Stearns and remain pending).  The operative complaint in the Consolidated Action is Lead Plaintiff's Third 
Amended and Consolidated Class Action Complaint (“TAC”), filed on February 15, 2002.  The TAC asserts claims 
against McKesson and HBOC under Sections 10(b) and 14(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the events 
leading  to  McKesson’s  announcements  in  April,  May  and  July  1999,  and  names  McKesson,  HBOC,  certain  of 
McKesson’s or HBOC’s current or former officers or directors, Arthur Andersen and Bear Stearns as defendants.  
The  Section  10(b)  claim  alleges  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  intentionally  misstated  the  financial  statements  of 
HBOC  or  McKesson  during  the  class  period.    The  Section  14(a)  claim  alleges  that  the  Joint  Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus issued in connection with a McKesson subsidiary and HBOC merger (the “Merger”) contained 
material  misstatements  or  omissions  and 
the  Joint  Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus with those misstatements.  The TAC seeks unspecified damages and attorneys' fees. 

that  McKesson  was  negligent 

issuing 

in 

By order dated January 6, 2003, Judge Whyte dismissed with prejudice the claim against the Company under 
Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act to the extent that claim was based on McKesson’s conduct or statements prior to 
the January 12, 1999 merger transaction with HBOC, denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the claim against the 
Company under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and ordered the Company to answer the TAC.  Following the 
Court's January 6, 2003 orders, the following claims remained against McKesson and HBOC:  (i) a claim against 
HBOC  under  Section  10(b)  of  the  Exchange  Act;  (ii)  a  claim  against  McKesson  under  Section  10(b)  of  the 
Exchange  Act  with  respect  to  post-Merger  conduct  only;  and  (iii)  a  Section  14(a)  claim  against  McKesson,  as 
described in the Court's January 6, 2003 order.  The Company and HBOC filed answers to the TAC on March 7, 
2003, denying that the Company or HBOC had violated Section 10(b) or Section 14(a) or that they had any liability 
to the alleged plaintiff class.   

On March 7, 2003, Lead Plaintiff filed a motion for class certification seeking to certify a class consisting of (i) 
all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded securities of HBOC during the period 
from  January  20,  1997,  through  and  including  January  12,  1999,  (ii)  all  persons  and  entities  who  purchased  or 
otherwise acquired publicly traded securities or call options, or who sold put options, of McKesson during the period 
from October 18, 1998 through and including April 27, 1999, and (iii) all persons and entities who held McKesson 
common stock on November 27, 1998 and still held those shares on January 12, 1999.  Lead Plaintiff seeks an order 
appointing  three  representatives  of  this  proposed  class:    (i)  the  Lead  Plaintiff;  (ii)  City  of  Miami  Beach  General 
Employees  Retirement  Trust;  and  (iii)  an  individual  investor  named  Donald  Chiert.    The  hearing  on  class 
certification  was  held  on  March  12,  2004.    Judge  Whyte  has  not  yet  ruled  on  the  motion  for  class  certification.  
McKesson and HBOC have commenced the production of documents in the Consolidated Action and, pursuant to 
pretrial orders, merits depositions have begun.  A trial is scheduled to commence on September 12, 2005. 

On January 11, 2001, McKesson filed an action in the Court for the Northern District of California against the 
Lead Plaintiff in the Consolidated Action individually, and as a representative of a defendant class of former HBOC 
shareholders who exchanged HBOC shares for Company shares in the January 12, 1999 Merger, McKesson HBOC, 
Inc.  v.  New  York  State  Common  Retirement  Fund,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C01-20021  RMW)  (the  “Complaint  and 
Counterclaim”).  In the Complaint and Counterclaim, the Company alleged that the exchanged HBOC shares were 
artificially inflated due to undisclosed accounting improprieties, and that the exchange ratio therefore provided more 
shares to former HBOC shareholders than would have otherwise been the case.  In this action, the Company sought 
to recover the “unjust enrichment” received by those HBOC shareholders who exchanged more than 20,000 HBOC 
shares  in  the Merger.    The Company  did  not  allege  any  wrongdoing by  these  shareholders.    On  January  9, 2002, 
Judge Whyte dismissed the Complaint and Counterclaim with prejudice.  The Company appealed this ruling to the 
United  States  Court  of  Appeals  for  the  Ninth  Circuit  (“Ninth  Circuit”).    On  August  13,  2003,  the  Ninth  Circuit 
affirmed Judge Whyte's January 9, 2002, order dismissing the Complaint and Counterclaim. 

By order dated February 7, 2000, Judge Whyte coordinated with the Consolidated Action a class action alleging 
claims  under  ERISA,  Chang  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C-00-20030  RMW),  and  a  shareholder 
derivative action that had been filed in the Northern District of California under the caption Cohen v. McCall et al. 
(Case No. C-99-20916 RMW) with the Consolidated Action.  There has been no further significant activity in the 
Cohen action.  By stipulated order dated April 30, 2003, no defendant or nominal defendant is required to respond to 
the  complaint  until  notified  by  the  plaintiff  in  writing  with  thirty  days  notice  or  upon  further  order  of  the  Court.  
Recent developments in the Chang action are discussed below. 

Several  individual  actions  have  also  been  filed  in,  or  transferred  to,  the  Northern  District  of  California.    On 
November 12, 1999, an individual shareholder action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California 

 9

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

under the caption Jacobs v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (C-99-21192 RMW).  The Plaintiffs in Jacobs are former 
HBOC shareholders who acquired their HBOC shares pursuant to a registration statement issued by HBOC prior to 
the Merger, and then exchanged their HBOC shares for McKesson shares in the Merger.  Plaintiffs in Jacobs assert 
claims  under  federal  and  state  securities  laws  and  a  claim  for  common  law  fraud.    Plaintiffs  seek  unspecified 
compensatory  and  punitive  damages,  and  costs  of  suit,  including  attorneys’  fees.    Judge  Whyte’s  December  22, 
1999,  order  consolidated  the  Jacobs  action  with  the  Consolidated  Action.    With  leave  of  the  Court,  the  Jacobs 
plaintiffs amended their complaint, but the action remains stayed.  On September 21, 2000 the plaintiffs in Jacobs v. 
McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  filed  a  new  individual  action  entitled  Jacobs  v.  HBO  &  Company  (Case  No.  C-00-20974 
RMW).  The Jacobs complaint names only HBOC as a defendant and asserts claims under Sections 11 and 12(2) of 
the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and various state law causes of action.  The complaint seeks 
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, and costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  This action has been 
assigned to Judge Whyte and consolidated with the Consolidated Action. 

On December 16, 1999, an individual action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California under 
the caption Bea v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al.  (Case No. C-00-20072 RMW).  Plaintiffs in Bea filed an Amended 
Complaint on March 9, 2000.  Plaintiffs in Bea allege that they acquired the Company’s common stock prior to the 
Merger and sold that stock after the April 1999 announcement at a loss.  The Bea complaint asserts claims under the 
federal and state securities laws, and a claim for fraud.  Plaintiffs seek (i) unspecified compensatory and punitive 
damages, and (ii) reasonable costs and expenses of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  Bea is currently stayed and has 
been consolidated with the Consolidated Action. 

On January 7, 2000, an individual action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California under the 
caption Cater v. McKesson Corporation et al. (Case No. C-00-20327 RMW).  The plaintiff is Terry Cater, a former 
employee of the Company who alleges that his options and restricted stock were substantially devalued as a result of 
the Merger and the subsequent drop in the Company’s stock price.  Plaintiff in Cater asserts claims under the federal 
securities  laws  as  well  as  claims  for  breach  of  good faith and fair  dealing,  fraud  and negligent  misrepresentation.  
Plaintiff  seeks  (i)  unspecified  special  damages  in  excess  of  $50,000,  (ii)  unspecified  general  damages,  (iii) 
prejudgment interest and (iv) reasonable attorneys’ fees.  The case has been assigned to Judge Whyte and the parties 
stipulated to a stay pending the outcome of the motions to dismiss in the Consolidated Action.   

On February 7, 2000, an action entitled Baker v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (Case No. CV 00-0188) was filed 
in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.  The same plaintiffs then filed a virtually identical 
parallel  action  in  Louisiana  State  Court,  Rapides  Parish,  under  the  caption  Baker  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.,  et  al 
(filed as Case No. 199018; Case No. CV-00-0522 after removal to federal court).  Plaintiffs, former shareholders of 
Automated Prescription Services, allege claims under the federal securities laws, and claims for breach of fiduciary 
duty, misrepresentation and detrimental reliance.  The state court action was removed to federal court and the two 
Baker  cases  have  been  transferred  to  the  Northern  District  of  California  and  consolidated  with  the  Consolidated 
Action. 

On June 17, 2003, plaintiffs in the Baker cases filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) against McKesson, 
HBOC, various current or former officers or directors of McKesson or HBOC, Arthur Andersen and Bear Stearns.  
The SAC asserts claims against McKesson and HBOC under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, for common law 
breach of fiduciary duty (McKesson only), misrepresentation, and detrimental reliance.  The SAC seeks damages in 
an  unspecified  amount.    By  stipulation  of  the  parties  and  order  of  the  Court,  the  Baker  action  is  stayed  and  the 
defendants are not currently required to respond to the SAC. 

On July 27, 2001, an action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California captioned Pacha, et al. 
v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (Case No. C01-20713 PVT).  The Pacha plaintiffs allege that they were individual 
stockholders  of  McKesson  stock  on  November  27,  1998,  and  assert  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  violated  Section 
14(a) of the Exchange Act, and that McKesson, aided by HBOC, breached its fiduciary duties to plaintiffs by issuing 
a joint proxy statement in connection with the Merger which allegedly contained false and misleading statements or 
omissions.    Plaintiffs  name  as  defendants  McKesson,  HBOC,  certain  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of 
McKesson or HBOC, Bear Stearns and Arthur Andersen.  The Pacha complaint seeks an award of compensatory and 
punitive  damages  in  an  unspecified  amount  and  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  the  action  including  reasonable 
attorneys' fees.  On November 13, 2001, Judge Whyte ordered Pacha consolidated with the Consolidated Action and 
stayed all further proceedings. 

Hess v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al., an action filed in state court in Arizona (Case No. C-20003862) on behalf 
of former shareholders of Ephrata Diamond Spring Water Company (“Ephrata”) who acquired McKesson shares in 
exchange for their Ephrata stock when McKesson acquired Ephrata in January 1999, was removed to federal court, 

 10

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

transferred to the Northern District of California and consolidated with the Consolidated Action.  Judge Whyte also 
stayed all further proceedings in Hess except for the filing of an amended complaint, which was filed on or about 
December 15, 2001 (the “Hess Amended Complaint”).  The Hess Amended Complaint generally incorporates the 
allegations and claims asserted in the Consolidated Action and also includes various common law causes of action 
relating  to  McKesson’s  acquisition  of  Ephrata.    The  Hess  Amended  Complaint  seeks  compensatory,  punitive, 
general and special damages in an unspecified amount, rescission of the agreement with Ephrata, attorneys' fees and 
costs.  The Company is not currently required to respond to the Hess Amended Complaint. 

On  June  28,  2001,  the  Chang  plaintiffs  filed  an  amended  ERISA  class  action  complaint  against  McKesson, 
HBOC,  certain  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of  McKesson  or  HBOC,  and  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank 
(“Chase”).  The amended complaint in Chang generally alleged that the defendants breached their ERISA fiduciary 
duties in connection with administering the McKesson HBOC Profit Sharing Investment Plan (the “PSI Plan”) and 
the  HBOC  Profit  Sharing  and  Savings  Plan  (the  “HBOC  Plan”).    Plaintiffs  in  Chang  are  former  employees  of 
McKesson  and  participants  in  the  PSI  Plan,  and  purportedly  seek  relief  under  sections  404-405,  409  and  502  of 
ERISA on behalf of a class defined to include participants in the PSI Plan, including participants under the HBOC 
Plan,  who  maintained  an  account  balance  under  the  PSI  Plan  as  of  April  27,  1999,  who  had  not  received  a 
distribution from the PSI Plan as of April 27, 1999, and who suffered losses as a result of the alleged breaches of 
duty. 

On February 7, 2002, a related ERISA class action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California 
captioned  Adams  v.  McKesson  Information  Solutions,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C-02-06  85  JCS).    Plaintiff  in  Adams 
filed  a  first  amended  complaint  on  March  15,  2002,  against  HBOC,  McKesson,  the  HBO  &  Company  Board  of 
Directors, HBO & Company Profit Sharing and Savings Plan Administrative Committee, HBO & Company Profit 
Sharing  and  Savings  Plan  Investment  Committee,  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  Profit  Sharing  Investment  Plan  (as  a 
nominal  defendant  only),  and  certain  current  or  former  officers,  directors  or  employees  of  McKesson  or  HBOC.  
Plaintiff  alleges  that  he  was  a  participant  in  the  HBOC  Plan  and  generally  alleges  that  McKesson  and  HBOC 
breached their ERISA fiduciary duties to the HBOC Plan and its participants or engaged in transactions prohibited 
by ERISA.  Plaintiff asserts his claims on behalf of a putative class defined to include all participants in the HBOC 
Plan and their beneficiaries for whose benefit the HBOC Plan acquired HBOC stock from March 31, 1996 to April 
1,  1999.    Plaintiff  seeks  (i)  a  judgment  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  breached  their  fiduciary  duties,  (ii)  an  order 
requiring defendants to restore to the plan all losses caused by these purported breaches of fiduciary duty, and (iii) 
reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.  

On June 3, 2002, Judge Whyte consolidated the Adams ERISA class action with the Chang ERISA class action.  
By  order  dated  September  30,  2002  Judge  Whyte  dismissed  the  First  Amended  Complaint  in  the  Chang  action.  
Judge Whyte granted plaintiffs in Chang and Adams leave to file a consolidated and amended complaint under the 
caption In re McKesson HBOC, Inc. ERISA Litigation (Northern District of California No. C-02-0685 RMW) (the 
“ERISA Action”).  On December 31, 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint (the “CAC”) in the 
ERISA  Action.    The  CAC  generally  alleges  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  breached  their  fiduciary  duties  under 
ERISA, and that HBOC engaged in transactions prohibited by ERISA.  Plaintiffs further allege that McKesson and 
HBOC  are  liable  under  principles  of  respondeat  superior  and  agency  for  alleged  breaches  of  fiduciary  duties  by 
other  defendants.    The  CAC  seeks  to  have  the  defendants  restore  to  the  HBOC  Plan  and  McKesson  Plan  losses 
allegedly caused by their alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, equitable relief, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.  On 
February 28, 2003, McKesson filed a motion to dismiss the CAC and HBOC filed motions to dismiss portions of the 
CAC.  Judge Whyte has not yet issued a ruling on these motions. 

State Actions 

Twenty-four  actions  have  also  been  filed  in  various  state  courts  in  California,  Colorado,  Delaware,  Georgia, 
Louisiana and Pennsylvania (the “State Actions”).  Like the Consolidated Action, the State Actions generally allege 
misconduct by McKesson or HBOC (and others) in connection with the events leading to McKesson’s decision to 
restate HBOC’s financial statements. 

Two  of  the  State  Actions  are  shareholder  derivative  actions:    Ash,  et al.  v.  McCall,  et  al.,  (Case No.  17132), 
filed in the Delaware Chancery Court and Mitchell v. McCall et al. (Case. No. 304415), filed in California Superior 
Court, City and County of San Francisco.  McKesson is named as a nominal defendant only as no relief is sought 
against  it  in  these  actions.    Plaintiffs  in  Mitchell  agreed  to  defer  any  action by  the  court  on  McKesson’s  motions 
pending resolution of McKesson’s dismissal motion in Ash.  On September 15, 2000, in the Ash case, the Court of 
Chancery dismissed all causes of action with leave to re-plead certain of the dismissed claims, and on January 22, 
2001, the Ash plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint.  On October 30, 2003, the Court granted the plaintiffs 

 11

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

leave  to  file  a  Fourth  Amended  Complaint  and  changed  the  caption  of  the  case  to  Saito,  et.  al.  v.  McCall  (Civil 
Action  No.  17132).    On  December  15,  2003,  the  defendants  filed  motions  to  dismiss  the  Fourth  Amended 
Complaint.  A hearing has been scheduled for May 18, 2004, to consider the defendants' motions to dismiss. 

Five  of  the  State  Actions  are  class  actions.    Three  of  these  were  filed  in  the  Delaware  Court  of  Chancery: 
Derdiger v. Tallman et al. (Civil Action No. 17276), Carroll v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. (Civil Action No. 17454) and 
Kelly v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Civil Action No. 17282).  Two additional actions were filed in the Delaware 
Superior Court: Edmondson v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. (Civil Action No. 99-951) and Caravetta v. McKesson HBOC, 
Inc. (Civil Action No. 00C-04-214 WTQ).  The Carroll and Kelly actions have been voluntarily dismissed without 
prejudice.  McKesson removed Edmondson to federal court in Delaware and filed a motion to dismiss, which was 
granted by the federal court on March 5, 2002.  McKesson filed motions to stay the Derdiger and Caravetta actions 
in  favor  of  proceedings  in  the  federal  Consolidated  Action,  which  were  granted.    On  December  20,  2001,  the 
plaintiff in Derdiger moved to vacate the stay of that action.  In a series of rulings dated September 9, 2002, October 
11, 2002 and October 18, 2002, the court denied plaintiff’s motion to vacate the stay with respect to any class claims 
but granted plaintiff leave to proceed with his individual claims.  Thereafter, the plaintiff filed a motion for partial 
summary  judgment,  and  the  former  directors  of  Access  Health,  Inc.,  who  are  also  defendants,  filed  a  motion  to 
dismiss the claims asserted against them.  The parties have asked the court to defer consideration of those motions 
while they pursue settlement discussions.  On August 4, 2003, the court issued an order dismissing the class action 
claims brought on behalf of persons other than the named plaintiff Howard Derdiger without prejudice in favor of 
the  prior  pending  Consolidated  Action  pending  in  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  California.  
The  parties  thereafter  dismissed  plaintiff  Howard  Derdiger's  individual  claims  with  prejudice  pursuant  to  a 
settlement. 

Several of the State Actions are individual actions which have been filed in various state courts.  Five of these 
were filed in the California Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco: Yurick v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et 
al.  (Case  No.  303857),  The  State  of  Oregon  by  and  through  the  Oregon  Public  Employees  Retirement  Board  v. 
McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 307619), Utah State Retirement Board v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case 
No. 311269), Minnesota State Board of Investment v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 311747), and Merrill 
Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund et al. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. CGC-02-405792).  Oregon, Utah, 
and  Minnesota  and  Merrill  Lynch  have  been  consolidated  before  the  Honorable  Donald  S.  Mitchell  under  the 
Oregon caption. 

In Yurick, the trial court sustained McKesson’s demurrer to the original complaint without leave to amend with 
respect  to  all  causes  of  action  except  plaintiffs’  claims  for  common  law  fraud  and  negligent  misrepresentation, 
which remain in the case.  The complaint in Yurick seeks compensatory, general, special, punitive and consequential 
damages  in  an  unspecified  amount,  prejudgment  interest,  costs  and  reasonable  attorneys'  fees.    On  December  27, 
2002,  the  Yurick  action  was  assigned  to  Judge  Mitchell,  the  presiding  judge  in  the  Oregon,  Minnesota,  Utah  and 
Merrill Lynch actions.  

The  Oregon,  Utah  and  Minnesota  actions  referenced  above  are  individual  securities  actions  filed  in  the 
California Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco by the out-of-state pension funds for each of 
those  States  and  Colorado.    On  October  16,  2002,  after  motion  practice  to  challenge  the  sufficiency  of  the 
complaints  in  Utah,  Minnesota  and  Oregon,  which  resulted  in  the  dismissal  of  a  number  of  claims  that  had  been 
asserted against McKesson and HBOC, and the consolidation of those actions under the caption The State of Oregon 
Public Employees Retirement Board v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Master File No. 307619), plaintiffs in Oregon, 
Minnesota and Utah filed a consolidated and amended complaint (the “CAAC”) which consolidated the remaining 
claims in those actions.  On October 11, 2002, plaintiffs in Merrill Lynch filed an amended complaint in the Merrill 
Lynch action. 

On March 13, 2003, Judge Mitchell overruled McKesson’s and HBOC’s demurrers to and motions to strike the 
CAAC in Oregon, Minnesota and Utah.  On the same date, Judge Mitchell sustained in part and overruled in part 
McKesson’s and HBOC's demurrers, and denied McKesson’s and HBOC's motions to strike the amended complaint 
in  Merrill  Lynch.    Following  those  orders,  the  following  claims  remain  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  in  the 
consolidated Oregon action: (i) under California law, for violation of California Corporations Code § 25000/25400, 
for violation of California Business and Professions Code § 17200 (against HBOC only), and for common law fraud 
and negligent  misrepresentation,  and  (ii)  under  Georgia  law,  claims  for  conspiracy  under  Georgia's  RICO  statute, 
and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation,  conspiracy,  and  aiding  and  abetting.    The  CAAC  seeks 
compensatory, general, punitive and special damages, pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest and reasonable 
attorneys'  fees.    Following  the  Court's  March  13,  2003,  orders  and  the  Court's  June  18,  2003,  order  granting  the 
plaintiffs'  motion  for  reconsideration,  the  following  claims  remain  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  in  the  Merrill 

 12

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

Lynch action: (i) under California law, for violation of California Corporations Code § 25000/25400, for violation of 
California  Business  and  Professions  Code  §  17200  (against  HBOC  only),  and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent 
misrepresentation,  conspiracy  and  aiding  and  abetting,  (ii)  under  New  Jersey  law,  for  violation  of  New  Jersey's 
RICO  statute  and  conspiracy  to  violate  New  Jersey's  RICO  statute,  and  (iii)  under  Georgia  law,  for  violation  of 
Georgia's securities laws and violation of Georgia's RICO statutes. 

On  June  27,  2003,  plaintiffs  in  the  Merrill  Lynch  action  filed  a  Third  Amended  Complaint  (the  “TAAC”) 
against  McKesson,  HBOC,  various  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of  McKesson  or  HBOC,  and  Arthur 
Andersen.  Like the prior complaints in the Merrill Lynch action, the TAAC generally alleges that the defendants are 
liable  under  various  statutory  and  common  law  claims  in  connection  with  the  events  leading  to  McKesson's 
announcements  in  April,  May  and  July  of  1999.    The  TAAC  asserts  claims  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  under 
California Corporations Code § 25400(d)/25500, California Business and Profession Code § 17200 (HBOC only), 
common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy and aiding and abetting, New Jersey RICO (McKesson 
only), conspiracy to violate New Jersey RICO, Georgia's securities laws, and conspiracy to violate Georgia RICO.  
The TAAC seeks an award of restitution, compensatory damages and treble damages in an unspecified amount, and 
costs and expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees. 

On  July  25,  2003,  McKesson  and  HBOC  answered  the  Consolidated  Complaint  in  Oregon,  Minnesota  and 
Utah, generally denying the allegations and any liability to plaintiffs.  Also on July 25, 2003, McKesson filed cross-
claims  against  all  plaintiffs  named  in  the  Consolidated  Complaint,  alleging  that  if  such  parties  exchanged  HBOC 
shares in the Merger that were artificially inflated, as alleged by those parties in the Consolidated Complaint, then 
the exchange ratio for the Merger provided more shares to plaintiffs than would have otherwise been the case, and 
more shares than was just.  The Company's cross-claims against the plaintiffs seek judgments requiring plaintiffs to 
disgorge  to  the  Company  any  “unjust  enrichment.”    On  January  9,  2004,  the  court  heard  arguments  on  plaintiffs' 
motion to dismiss McKesson's cross-claims.  The court has not yet issued a ruling on that motion. 

On September 26, 2003 the Merrill Lynch Plaintiffs filed a Fourth Amended Complaint (the “FAC”).  The FAC 
adds  Bear  Stearns,  General  Electric  Capital  Corporation,  Inc.  (“GECC”),  Computer  Associates  International,  Inc. 
(“CAI”),  and  WebMD  Corp.  (“WebMD”)  as  defendants.    The  claims  against  GECC  allege  that  GECC  aided  and 
abetted  the  alleged  fraud  at  HBOC,  conspired  to  commit  fraud  and  made  negligent  misrepresentations.    On 
December 30, 2003, McKesson and HBOC answered the FAC, generally denying the allegations and any liability to 
plaintiffs.  Judge Mitchell has scheduled a trial date of November 28, 2005, in the consolidated Oregon, Minnesota, 
Utah and Merrill Lynch actions. 

Several individual actions have been filed in various state courts outside of California.  Several of these cases 
have been filed in Georgia state courts.  On October 24, 2000, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton 
County,  captioned  Suffolk  Partners  Limited  Partnership  et  al.  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No. 
00VS010469A).  Plaintiffs in the Suffolk action allegedly purchased the Company’s common stock after the Merger 
but before the April 1999 announcement.  Plaintiffs assert claims under Georgia’s securities and racketeering laws, 
and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation,  conspiracy,  and  aiding  and  abetting.    The  Suffolk  action 
names as defendants the Company, HBOC, and certain of the Company’s or HBOC’s current or former officers or 
directors, and Arthur Andersen.  Like the Consolidated Action, the claims in the Suffolk action generally arise out of 
the  January  12,  1999  Merger,  and  the  Company’s  announcement  of  the  need  to  restate  its  financial  statements.  
Plaintiffs  seek  (i)  compensatory  damages  of  approximately  $22  million,  as  well  as  general,  rescissory,  special, 
punitive,  exemplary,  and  with  respect  to  certain  causes  of  action,  treble  damages,  and  (ii)  prejudgment  and  post-
judgment  interest  and  costs  of  suit,  including  reasonable  attorneys’  and  experts’  fees.    The  Company  and  HBOC 
separately answered the complaint on January 9, 2001.  The Company and HBOC moved for an order staying the 
Suffolk action in favor of the Consolidated Action on January 10, 2001.  On August 2, 2001, the Court granted the 
motions to stay.  Subsequently, however, in May 2003, the Court lifted the stay and directed the parties to coordinate 
discovery  with  that  in  the  Consolidated  Action  and  several  other  actions.    Following  the  lifting  of  the  stay,  all 
Defendants filed motions to dismiss on various grounds, all of which were denied, except as to Defendant Pulido, 
whom Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed.  Discovery is now proceeding in coordination with the Consolidated Action.   

On November 1, 2000, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton County, captioned Curran Partners, 
L.P. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 00 VS 010801).  Plaintiff in the Curran action allegedly purchased 
the Company’s common stock after the Merger but before the April 1999 announcement.  The claims in the Curran 
action are identical to the claims in the Suffolk action.  Plaintiff seeks (i) compensatory damages of approximately 
$3 million, as well as general, rescissory, special, punitive, exemplary, and with respect to certain causes of action, 
treble damages, and (ii) prejudgment and post-judgment interest and costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ 
and experts’ fees.  The Curran action names as defendants the Company, HBOC, and certain of the Company’s or 

 13

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

HBOC’s  current  or  former  officers  or  directors,  and  Arthur  Andersen.    The  Company  and  HBOC  separately 
answered  the  Complaint  on  January  9,  2001.    The  Company  and  HBOC  moved  for  an  order  staying  the  Curran 
action in favor of the Consolidated Action on January 10, 2001.  The Court granted the motions to stay on August 
22, 2001.  However, in September 2003, the court lifted the stay and transferred the action to the judge presiding 
over the previously-reported action captioned Suffolk Partners L.P. et al v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al, (Georgia 
State  Court,  Fulton  County  No.  00VS010469A).    Discovery  is  now  proceeding  in  coordination  with  the 
Consolidated Action.   

On  December  12,  2001,  an  action  was  filed  in  Georgia  State  Court,  Fulton  County,  captioned  Drake  v. 
McKesson  Corp.,  et  al.  (Case  No.  01VS026303A).    Plaintiff  in  Drake  is  a  former  HBOC  employee  seeking  lost 
commissions as well as asserting claims under Georgia’s securities and racketeering laws, and various common law 
causes of action.  Plaintiff seeks (i) approximately $300,000 in unpaid commissions, (ii) unspecified compensatory, 
consequential, actual, exemplary, and punitive damages, and (iii) prejudgment and post-judgment interest and costs 
of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.  The Drake action names as defendants the Company, HBOC, Albert 
Bergonzi and Jay Gilbertson.  The parties entered into a Consent Order for Partial Stay on February 27, 2002, which 
stayed  Plaintiff’s  Georgia  securities  law,  fraud  and  RICO  claims.    On  March  4,  2002,  McKesson  and  McKesson 
Information  Solutions  Inc.  separately  filed  their  answers.    Following  discovery,  the  case  was  settled  and  Plaintiff 
filed a dismissal with prejudice on March 5, 2004. 

Two  similar  Georgia  actions  have  been  consolidated  for  purposes  of  discovery  and  may  be  consolidated  for 
purposes of  trial.   On  January 31, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia Superior Court, Fulton County, under the 
caption Holcombe T. Green and HTG Corp. v. McKesson, Inc. et al. (Case No. 2002-CV-48407).  Plaintiffs in the 
Green action are former HBOC shareholders.  Plaintiff Holcombe Green was also a former officer, chairman and 
director of HBOC.  On February 6, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia Superior Court, Fulton County, under the 
caption  Hall  Family  Investments,  L.P.  v.  McKesson,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  2002-CV-48612).    Plaintiff  in  the  Hall 
action is a former HBOC shareholder.  One of the limited partners of the Hall Plaintiff is Nancy Hall Green, the wife 
of  Holcombe  Green.    The  complaints  in  the  Green  and  Hall  actions  are  substantially  identical.    In  each  action, 
Plaintiffs asserted claims for common law fraud and fraudulent conveyance and named as defendants the Company, 
HBOC,  Albert  Bergonzi  and  Jay  Gilbertson.    In  each  action,  plaintiffs  seek  compensatory  damages  in  excess  of 
$100 million, as well as unspecified general, special and punitive damages, and costs of suit, including attorneys’ 
fees.  The Company and HBOC filed their respective answers and counterclaims on April 22, 2002.  HBOC also 
filed  a  third  party  complaint  against  Holcombe  Green  for  indemnification.    The  Company  and  HBOC  also  filed 
motions to stay and dismiss.  The Court denied the motions to stay, and partially granted the motions to dismiss, 
dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims for fraudulent conveyance.  Plaintiffs moved to dismiss the counterclaims filed by the 
Company and HBOC, and the Court denied those motions.  Discovery is under way and will proceed for some time.  
The  trial  court  granted  Plaintiffs’  motion  to  compel  the  production  of  certain  work  product  materials,  and  the 
Georgia  Court  of  Appeals  affirmed.    The  Company  has  filed  a  petition  for  discretionary  review  in  the  Georgia 
Supreme Court, and Plaintiffs have filed an opposition to that petition.   

On May 8, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton County, under the caption James Gilbert v. 
McKesson Corporation, et al. (Case No. 02VS032502C).  Plaintiff, formerly the general counsel of HBOC, alleges 
he  was  a  holder  of  options  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Company’s  stock.    The  action  names  as  defendants  the 
Company, HBOC, Albert Bergonzi and Jay Gilbertson.  Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages of approximately $2 
million,  as well  as unspecified general,  special  and  punitive damages,  and  costs of  suit,  including  attorneys’  fees.  
On June 24, 2002, the Company and HBOC filed their respective answers, motions to stay, and motions to dismiss.  
On November 26, 2002, the court granted the motions to stay, and this case is stayed until final disposition of the 
Consolidated Action.   

The  United  States  Attorney’s  Office  for  the  Northern  District  of  California  (“USAO”)  and  the  SEC  are 
conducting investigations into the matters leading to the restatement.  On May 15, 2000, the USAO filed a one-count 
information  against  former  HBOC  officer,  Dominick  DeRosa,  charging  Mr.  DeRosa  with  aiding  and  abetting 
securities fraud, and on May 15, 2000, Mr. DeRosa entered a guilty plea to that charge.  On September 28, 2000, an 
indictment was unsealed in the Northern District of California against former HBOC officer, Jay P. Gilbertson, and 
former Company and HBOC officer, Albert J. Bergonzi, United States v. Bergonzi, et al. (Case No. CR-00-0505).  
On that same date, a civil complaint was filed by the SEC against Mr. Gilbertson, Mr. Bergonzi and Mr. DeRosa 
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Gilbertson, et al. (Case No. C-00-3570).  Mr. DeRosa has settled with the 
SEC without admitting or denying the substantive allegations of the complaint.  On January 10, 2001, the grand jury 
returned  a  superseding  indictment  in  the  Northern  District  of  California  against  Messrs.  Gilbertson  and  Bergonzi, 
United States v. Bergonzi, et al. (Case No. CR-00-0505), and on June 4, 2003, a second superseding indictment was 
unsealed  which  added  new  charges  against  Mr.  Bergonzi  and  which  also  charged  both  former  Chairman  of  the 

 14

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

Board  of  HBOC  and  the  Company,  Charles  W.  McCall,  and  former  HBOC  General  Counsel,  Jay  Lapine,  with 
various securities law violations.  Also on June 4, 2003, the USAO announced the filing of agreements with Messrs. 
Gilbertson,  DeRosa  and  former  HBOC  Senior  Vice  President  for  Finance,  Timothy  Heyerdahl,  to  plead  guilty  to 
various securities law violations (Case Nos. CR-00-0505, CR-00-0213 and CR-01-0002, respectively).  The USAO 
has informed the Company that it is not now nor has it ever been a subject or target of the USAO's investigation. 

On  September  27,  2001,  the  SEC  filed  securities  fraud  charges  against  six  former  HBOC  officers  and 
employees  including  Messrs.  Heyerdahl  and  Lapine.    Simultaneous  with  the  filing  of  the  Commission’s  civil 
complaints, four of the six defendants settled the claims brought against them by, among other things, consenting, 
without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaints, to entry of permanent injunctions against all of the 
alleged  violations,  and  agreed  to  pay  civil  penalties  in  various  amounts.    On  June  4,  2003,  the  SEC  filed  a  civil 
complaint against Mr. McCall for various securities law violations (Case No. C-03-2603).  On January 3, 2002, the 
Company was notified in writing by the SEC that its investigation has been terminated as to the Company, and that 
no enforcement action has been recommended to the Commission.   

On April 24, 2003, Gilbertson entered into a written plea agreement with the USAO in which he pled guilty to 
conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements in a document filed with the SEC.  On October 
16, 2003, Bergonzi entered into a written plea agreement with the USAO in which he pled guilty to securities fraud 
and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.  On March 30, 2004, the USAO filed a three count indictment against 
former McKesson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Richard H. Hawkins, charging him with 
conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, securities fraud, and making false statements to an accountant.  On 
March 31, 2004, Mr. Hawkins pled not guilty to the charges.   

We do not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of the accounting litigation 
proceedings, or to estimate the amounts of, or potential range of, loss with respect to those proceedings.  In addition, 
the  timing  of  the  final  resolution  of  these  proceedings  is  uncertain.    The  range  of  possible  resolutions  of  these 
proceedings could include judgments against the Company or settlements that could require substantial payments by 
the Company, which could have a material adverse impact on McKesson’s financial position, results of operations 
and cash flows.  

II.  Other Litigation and Claims  

In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various claims, 
other  pending  and  potential  legal  actions  for  product  liability  and  other  damages,  investigations  relating  to 
governmental  laws  and  regulations  and  other  matters  arising  out  of  the  normal  conduct  of  our  business.    These 
include: 

Product Liability Litigation and Other Claims 

Our  subsidiary,  McKesson  Medical-Surgical  Inc.,  is  one  of  many  defendants  in  approximately  24  cases  in 
which plaintiffs claim they were injured due to exposure, over many years, to latex proteins in gloves manufactured 
by numerous manufacturers and distributed by a number of distributors, including McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc.  
Efforts to resolve tenders of defense to its suppliers are continuing and final agreements have been reached with two 
major suppliers.  McKesson Medical Surgical Inc.'s insurers are providing some coverage for these cases, subject to 
applicable deductibles. 

We, along with more than 100 other companies, have been named in a lawsuit brought in 2000 by the Lemelson 
Medical, Educational & Research Foundation (the “Foundation”) alleging that we and our subsidiaries are infringing 
seven (7) U.S. patents relating to common bar code scanning technology and its use for the automated management 
and control of product inventory, warehousing, distribution and point-of-sale transactions.  Due to the pendency of 
earlier litigation brought against the Foundation by the manufacturers of bar code devices attacking the validity of 
the patents at issue, the court stayed the suit against us until the conclusion of the earlier case, including any appeals 
that  may  be  taken.    The  trial  in  this  earlier  case  concluded  in  January 2003  and  the  court  subsequently  ruled  that 
each  of  the  patents  at  issue  was  invalid  due  to  prosecutorial  laches.    An  appeal  by  the  Foundation  to  the  Federal 
Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  is  anticipated.    While  the  suit  against  the  Company  was  stayed,  the  U.S.  Patent  and 
Trademark  Office  granted  petitions  for  reexamination  of  three  of  the  seven  patents  asserted  by  the  Foundation 
against the Company.  The reexamination will determine, among other things, whether these patents have expired.  
Each  of  the  remaining  four  patents  in  the  action  has  already  expired  by  its  own  terms,  or  by  the  Foundation 
disclaiming the remaining portion of the patent’s life. 

 15

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

We,  through  our  former  McKesson  Chemical  Company  division,  are  named  in  approximately  66  cases 
involving  the  alleged  distribution  of  asbestos.    These  cases  typically  involve  multiple  plaintiffs  claiming  personal 
injuries  and  unspecified  compensatory  and  punitive  damages  as  a  result  of  exposure  to  asbestos-containing 
materials.    Pursuant  to  an  indemnification  agreement  signed  at  the  time  of  the  1986  sale  of  McKesson  Chemical 
Company  to  what  is  now  called  Univar  USA  Inc.  (“Univar”),  we  have  tendered  each  of  these  actions  to  Univar.  
Univar  is  currently  defending  us  but  has  raised  questions  concerning  the  extent  of  its  obligations  under  the 
indemnification agreement.  Discussions with Univar on that subject are ongoing.  We have not paid or incurred any 
costs or expenses in connection with these actions to date; and we continue to look to Univar for defense and full 
indemnification  of  these  claims.    In  addition,  we  believe  that,  if  necessary,  a  portion  of  these  claims  would  be 
covered by insurance. 

On January 21, 2004, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) filed a bid protest and a 
request for injunctive relief, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation vs. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (Action 
No. 04-00063), in the United States Court of Federal Claims in connection with the December 31, 2003 award by 
the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (the “VA”) of Prime Vendor status to the Company for the supply 
of  pharmaceutical  products  to  the  VA  commencing  April  1,  2004.    We  successfully  moved  to  intervene  in  this 
action.  On February 9, 2004, the parties stipulated and the Court ordered a delay in the commencement date of the 
VA contract to a date 45 days following the Court's decision on the merits of the AmerisourceBergen protest.  On 
March 31, 2004, the Court issued its decision rejecting AmerisourceBergen's bid protest and ordering the dismissal 
of  the  complaint.    Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Court's  February  9th  order,  the  Company’s  performance  under  the 
Prime Vendor contract commenced on May 10, 2004. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois (“USAOI”) is conducting an industry-wide civil 
and  criminal  investigation  into  the  marketing,  sale  and  Medicare  reimbursement  of  enteral  nutritional  products 
(“Products”).    The  Products  are  sold  by  the  extended  care  business  conducted  by  our  subsidiary,  McKesson 
Medical-Surgical  Minnesota  Inc.  (“Minnesota  Supply”).    The  USAOI  has  indicated  that  the  Company  and  two 
employees  of  Minnesota  Supply  are  subjects  of  the  investigation.    In  July  of  2003,  the  USAOI  announced 
indictments of the two employees on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy, and violation of the anti-kickback statute.  
The  employees  were  subsequently  placed  on  leave  pending  resolution  of  the  charges.    We  continue  to  cooperate 
with the investigation. 

On May 4, 2004, a judgment was entered against the Company in Charlene Roby vs. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et 
al,  (Action  No.  CV01-573),  pending  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Yolo  County,  California  on  claims  by  a  former 
employee  for  wrongful  termination,  disability  discrimination  and  harassment  and  against  a  Company  employee 
defendant on the harassment claim only.  The jury awarded plaintiff $3.5 million in compensatory damages against 
the  Company  and  $0.5  million  in  compensatory  damages  against  the  individual  employee.    Punitive  damages  of 
$15.0 million were assessed against the Company.  The Company will seek reduction or reversal of this judgment 
through  post-trial  motions,  and  through  an  appeal,  if  necessary.    If  these  efforts  are  not  successful,  this  judgment 
could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Environmental Matters 

Primarily as a result of the operation of our former chemical businesses, which were fully divested by 1987, we 
are  involved  in  various  matters  pursuant  to  environmental  laws  and  regulations.    We  have  received  claims  and 
demands from governmental agencies relating to investigative and remedial action purportedly required to address 
environmental  conditions  alleged  to  exist  at  six  sites  where  we,  or  entities  acquired  by  us,  formerly  conducted 
operations; and we, by administrative order or otherwise, have agreed to take certain actions at those sites, including 
soil  and  groundwater  remediation.    In  addition,  we  were  recently  one  of  multiple  recipients  of  a  New  Jersey 
Department  of  Environmental  Protection  Agency directive  and  a  separate  United  States  Environmental  Protection 
Agency  directive  relating  to  potential  natural  resources  damages  (“NRD”)  associated  with  one  of  these  six  sites.  
Although  the  Company’s  potential  allocation  under  either  directive  cannot  be  determined  at  this  time,  we  have 
agreed to participate with a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) group in the funding of an NRD assessment, the 
costs of which are reflected in the aggregate estimates set forth below. 

Based on a determination by our environmental staff, in consultation with outside environmental specialists and 
counsel,  the  current  estimate  of  reasonably  possible  remediation  costs  for  these  six  sites  is  $12.9  million,  net  of 
approximately  $2  million  that  third  parties  have  agreed  to  pay  in  settlement  or  we  expect,  based  either  on 
agreements or nonrefundable contributions which are ongoing, to be contributed by third parties.  The $12.9 million 
is expected to be paid out between April 2004 and March of 2028.  Our liability for these environmental matters has 
been accrued in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.   

 16

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

In  addition,  we  have  been  designated  as  a  PRP  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response 
Compensation  and  Liability  Act  of  1980  (as  amended,  the  “Superfund”  law  or  its  state  law  equivalent)  for 
environmental assessment and cleanup costs as the result of our alleged disposal of hazardous substances at 26 sites.  
With respect to each of these sites, numerous other PRPs have similarly been designated and, while the current state 
of  the  law  potentially  imposes  joint  and  several  liability  upon  PRPs,  as  a  practical  matter  costs  of  these  sites  are 
typically  shared  with  other  PRPs.    Our  estimated  liability  at  those  26  sites  is  approximately  $2  million.    The 
aggregate  settlements  and  costs  paid  by  us  in  Superfund  matters  to  date  have  not  been  significant.    The 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets include this environmental liability. 

The  potential  costs  to  us  related  to  environmental  matters  are  uncertain  due  to  such  factors  as:  the  unknown 
magnitude of possible pollution and cleanup costs; the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and 
regulations and their interpretations; the timing, varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies; 
the determination of our liability in proportion to that of other PRPs; and the extent, if any, to which such costs are 
recoverable from insurance or other parties. 

While it is not possible to determine with certainty the ultimate outcome of any of the litigation or governmental 
proceedings discussed under this section II, “Other Litigation and Claims”, we believe based on current knowledge 
and  the  advice  of  our  counsel  that,  except  as  otherwise  noted,  such  litigation  and  proceedings  will  not  have  a 
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

III.  Contingency 

In  2002,  we  entered  into  a  $500  million,  ten  year  contract  with  the  National  Health  Services  Information 
Authority  (“NHS”),  an  organization  of  the  British  government  charged  with  the  responsibility  of  delivering 
healthcare in England and Wales.  The contract engages the Company to develop, implement and operate a human 
resources and payroll system at more than 600 NHS locations. 

To date, there have been delays to this contract which have caused increased costs and a decrease in the amount 
of time in which we can earn revenues.  These delays have adversely impacted the contract's projected profitability 
and no material revenue has yet been recognized on this contract.  As of March 31, 2004, our consolidated balance 
sheet  includes an  investment  of  approximately  $76  million  in net  assets,  consisting of  prepaid  expenses,  software 
and capital assets, net of cash received, related to this contract.  While we believe it is likely that we can deliver and 
operate an acceptable system and recover our investment in this contract, we are currently negotiating with the NHS 
to  amend  certain  key  terms  and  conditions  in  the  contract,  and  there  is  no  certainty  we  will  agree  on  an  updated 
implementation  plan.    We  expect  this  negotiation  to  be  completed  in  the  second  half  of  calendar  year  2004.  
However, the timing and the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain and failure to reach agreement on an updated 
implementation  plan  and  amend  certain  key  contract  terms  and  conditions,  and/or  further  delays  in  the 
implementation  may  result  in  losses  that  could  be  material.    Even  if  we  agree  on  amended  contract  terms  and 
conditions  and  an  updated  implementation  plan,  it  is  possible  that  the  terms  of  that  agreement  may  result  in  the 
impairment of our net assets related to the contract as well as substantial penalties and charges, which could have a 
material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Item 4. 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during 

the three months ended March 31, 2004.  

 17

 
Executive Officers of the Registrant 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

The  following  table  sets  forth  information  regarding  the  executive  officers  of  the  Company,  including  their 
principal occupations during the past five years.  The number of years of service with the Company includes service 
with predecessor companies. 

There  are  no  family  relationships  between  any  of  the  executive  officers  or  directors  of  the  Company.    The 
executive officers are chosen annually to serve until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the next 
annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and have qualified, or until death, resignation 
or removal, whichever is sooner. 

Name 

Age 

Position with Registrant and Business Experience 

John H. Hammergren ...........

Jeffrey C. Campbell..............

Paul C. Julian........................

Paul E. Kirincic ....................

Ivan D. Meyerson .................

Marc E. Owen.......................

45  Chairman  of  the  Board  since  July  31,  2002;  President  and  Chief  Executive
Officer since April 1, 2001; Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer from
July 1999 to April 1, 2001 and a director since July 1999.  Formerly Executive
Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Supply Solutions
Business  (January-July  1999);  Group  President,  McKesson  Health  Systems
(1997-1999) and Vice President of the Company since 1996.  Service with the
Company – 9 years. 

43  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2004, Chief
Financial  Officer  since  December  2003,  Senior  Vice  President  since  January
2004.    Senior  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  AMR  Corporation
(2002-2003),  Vice  President  Europe  (2000-2002),  Vice  President  Corporate
Development and Treasurer (1998-2000), various AMR management positions
beginning 1990.  Service with the Company – 5 months 

48  Executive  Vice  President,  Group  President  since  April  2004;  Senior  Vice
President  since  August  1999,  and  President  of  the  Supply  Solutions  Business
since March 2000; Group President, McKesson General Medical (1997-2000);
Executive  Vice  President,  McKesson  Health  Systems  (1996-1997).    Service
with the Company – 8 years. 

53  Executive  Vice  President,  Human  Resources  since  April  2004,  Senior  Vice
President,  Human  Resources  since  January  2001;    Vice  President,  Human
Resources,  Consumer  Health  Sector,  Warner  Lambert  (1998-2001);  Vice
President, Human Resources, Whirlpool Europe, Whirlpool Corporation (1996-
1998).  Service with the Company – 3 years. 

59  Corporate  Secretary  since  April  1999,  Executive  Vice  President  and  General
Counsel  since  April  2004,  and  Senior  Vice  President  and  General  Counsel
since January 1999; Vice President and General Counsel (1987-January 1999).
Service with the Company – 26 years. 

44  Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development since
April  2004,  Senior  Vice  President,  Corporate  Strategy  and  Business
Development  since  October  2001;  consultant  to  the  Company  April  2001-
September  2001,  when  he  joined  the  Company;  President  and  CEO,
MindCrossing  (April-November  2000);  Senior  Partner,  McKinsey  and
Company (1987-2000).  Service with the Company – 3 years. 

Pamela J. Pure ......................  42  Executive  Vice  President,  President,  McKesson  Provider  Technologies  since
April 2004; McKesson Information Solutions, Chief Operating Officer (2002-
2004), Group President (2001-2002), Chief Operating Officer, Channel Health
(1999-2001).  Service with the Company – 3 years.   

Cheryl T. Smith .................... 

52  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Information  Officer  since  April  2004,
Senior  Vice  President  and  Chief  Information  Officer  since  October  2002;
Senior  Vice  President  and  Chief  Information  Officer,  KeySpan  Corporation
and  President,  KeySpan  Technologies,  Inc.  (1998-August  2002);  Vice
President, IS – Strategic Systems, Verizon, Inc. (1994-1998).  Service with the
Company – 2 years. 

 18

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

PART II 

Item 5. 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 
of Equity Securities 

(a)  Market Information.  The principal market on which the Company’s common stock is traded is the New York 
Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).  The Company’s common stock is also traded on the Pacific Exchange, Inc.  High 
and low prices for the common stock by quarter are included in Financial Note 22 to the consolidated financial 
statements, “Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited),” appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(b)  Holders.  The number of record holders of the Company’s common stock at March 31, 2004 was 12,049. 

(c)  Dividends.    Dividend  information  is  included  in  Financial  Note  22  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements, 

“Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited),” appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(d)  Share Repurchase Plans.  The following table details share repurchases during the fourth quarter: 

Share Repurchases (1), (2) 

(In millions except price per share) 
January 1, through January 31, 2004 
February 1 through February 29, 2004 
March 1, through March 31, 2004 
Quarter ended March 31, 2004 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
0.6 
0.9 
- 
1.5 

Average Price 
Paid Per Share
29.19 
$ 
29.19 
- 
29.19 

$ 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
As Part of Publicly 
Announced 
Programs 
0.6 
0.8 
- 
1.4 

Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares that 
May Yet Be 
Purchased Under the
Programs 

  $ 

  $ 

232.6 
208.6 
208.6 
208.6 

(1)  On  July  26,  2000  and  October  30,  2003,  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  approved  plans  to  repurchase  up  to  $250.0 
million per plan of the Company’s common stock.  These plans have no expiration date.  In the fourth quarter of 2004, the 
Company effectively completed its July 26, 2000 plan. 

(2)  The Company repurchased 0.1 million of its common stock outside of its previously announced plans.  These repurchases 
were  primarily  the  result  of  common  stock  being  surrendered  by  employees  for  purposes  of  payment  of  income  taxes 
relating to the exercise of stock options. 

Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data 

Selected financial data is presented in the Five-Year Highlights section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition  

Management’s  discussion  and  analysis  of  the  Company’s  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition  are 

presented in the Financial Review section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Information  required  by  this  item  is  included  in  the  Financial  Review  section  of  this  Annual  Report  on  

Form 10-K. 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are included as separate sections of this Annual Report on Form 

10-K.  See Item 15. 

 19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Item 9. 

Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

Not applicable. 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

Our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  our  Chief  Financial  Officer,  after  evaluating  the  effectiveness  of  the 
Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)) as of the end of 
the period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on 
their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-
15. 

There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  identified  in  connection  with  the 
evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal 
quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial 
reporting. 

PART III 

Item 10. 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 

Information  about  our  Directors  is  incorporated  by  reference  from  the  discussion  under  Item  1  of  our  proxy 
statement  for  the  2004  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the  “Proxy  Statement”)  under  the  heading  “Election  of 
Directors.”  Information about compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference from 
the discussion under the heading “10-K Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance” in our Proxy Statement.  
Information  about  our  Audit  Committee,  including  the  members  of  the  committee,  and  our  Audit  Committee 
financial expert is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the headings “Audit Committee Report” and 
“Audit Committee Financial Expert” in our Proxy Statement.  Information about the Code of Ethics governing our 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and Financial Managers can be found on our Web site, 
www.mckesson.com under the Governance tab.  The balance of the information required by this item is contained in 
the discussion entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Item 4 of Part I of this 2004 Form 10-K.  

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which can be found on our 

Web site under the Governance tab. 

Stockholders  may  request  a  copy  of  the  Senior  Financial  Managers  Code  or  the  Corporate  Governance 

Guidelines from: 

Corporate Secretary 
McKesson Corporation 
One Post Street, 33rd Floor 
San Francisco, CA 94104 
(800) 826-9360 

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation 

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement. 

Item 12. 

Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related  Stockholder 
Matters 

Information about security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference 

from the Proxy Statement. 

 20

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

The  following  table  sets  forth  information  as  of  March  31,  2004  with  respect  to  the  plans  under  which  the 

Company’s common stock is authorized for issuance: 

Plan category 
Equity compensation plans approved by 
security holders(1) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by 
security holders(3),(4) 
Total 

Number of securities 
to be issued upon 
exercise of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights 

Weighted-average 
exercise price of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights 

Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
the first column ) 

22,438,323 

 $  48.71 

 11,424,538 (2) 

38,544,322 
60,982,645 

 $  34.77 
 $  39.91 

 11,702,104 
 23,126,642 

(1)  Includes  the  1973  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  the  1994  Stock  Option  and  Restricted  Stock  Plan,  the  1997  Non-Employee 

Directors’ Equity Compensation and Deferral Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). 

(2)  Includes 4,951,576 shares which remained available for purchase under the ESPP at March 31, 2004.  On April 30, 2004, a 
purchase of shares occurred on behalf of participants reducing the number of shares available under the ESPP to 4,329,778. 
(3)  Includes the broad-based 1999 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, the 1998 Canadian Stock Incentive Plan, the 1999 
Executive Stock Purchase Plan, a small assumed sharesave scheme (similar to the ESPP) in the United Kingdom (the “U.K. 
Sharesave Scheme”) and two stock option plans. 

(4)  As  a  result  of  acquisitions,  the  Company  currently  has  18  assumed  option  plans  under  which  options  are  exercisable  for 
4,244,903  shares  of  Company  common  stock.    No  further  awards  will  be  made  under  any  of  the  assumed  plans  and 
information regarding the assumed options is not included in the table above. 

The following are descriptions of equity plans that have been approved by the Company’s stockholders.  The 
plans  are  administered  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  except  for  the  Directors’  Plan 
(defined below) which is administered by the Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance.  

1994 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “1994 Plan”):  The 1994 Plan was adopted by the Board of 
Directors in 1994 and provides for the grant of approximately 41.2 million shares, which includes awards granted 
under predecessor plans, in the form of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options with or without tandem 
stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, or restricted stock units (“RSUs”).  Options granted under the 
1994 Plan are generally subject to the same terms and conditions as those granted under the 1999 Plan, discussed 
below, except that under the 1994 Plan only executive officers of the Company are eligible to receive option grants.  
The 1994 Plan expires in October 2004. 

1997  Non-Employee  Directors’  Equity  Compensation  and  Deferral  Plan  (the  “Directors’  Plan”):    The 
Directors’ Plan was adopted in 1997 and provides for the grant of approximately 1.3 million shares in the form of 
nonqualified stock options or restricted stock units to non-employee directors of the Company.  Shares subject to 
option grants which cease to be exercisable shall not be counted against the number of shares available under the 
Directors’ Plan.  RSUs (described below), whether or not distributed in the form of restricted stock, will be counted 
against the number of shares available.  

Under the Director’s Plan, each director receives an annual stock option grant of 7,500 RSUs.  In addition, each 
director  is  required  to  defer  50%  of  his  or  her  annual  retainer  into  either  RSUs  payable  in  cash  or  stock  at  the 
Director’s  election,  or  nonqualified  stock  options,  and  may  also  elect  to  defer  the  remaining  50%  of  the  annual 
retainer into RSUs or Retainer Options or the Company’s deferred compensation administration plan (DCAP II), or 
may elect to receive cash.  Meeting fees and Committee Chair annual retainers may be deferred into RSUs or DCAP 
II or may be paid in cash.  Options are granted at fair market value and have a term of ten years. 

1973  Stock  Purchase  Plan  (the  “SPP”):    The  SPP  was  adopted  by  the  stockholders  of  the  Company’s 
predecessor in 1973.  The Company’s stockholders approved an additional 2.5 million shares to be issued under the 
SPP  in  1999,  which  remain  available  for  issuance.    Rights  to  purchase  shares  are  granted  under  the  SPP  to  key 
employees of the Company as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board.  The purchase price, to be 
paid in cash or using promissory notes of the Company common stock subject to rights granted under the SPP, is the 
fair market value of such stock on the date the right is exercised.  

2000  ESPP:  The  ESPP  is  intended  to  qualify  as  an  “employee  stock  purchase  plan”  within  the  meaning  of 
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.  In March 2002, the Board amended the ESPP to allow for participation 

 21

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

in the plan by employees of certain of the Company’s international and other subsidiaries.  As to those employees, 
the ESPP does not so qualify.  Currently, 11.1 million shares have been authorized for issuance under the ESPP.  

The ESPP is implemented through a continuous series of 24-month offerings beginning on the first trading day 
on  or  after  each  May  1  and  November  1  (the  “Offering  Dates”)  and  ending  on  the  last  trading  day  of  the  month 
which is 24 months later (the “Offering Periods”) and six-month periods beginning on each May 1 and November 1 
and ending on the following October 31 and April 30, during which contributions may be made toward the purchase 
of common stock under the plan (“Purchase Periods”).   

 Each eligible employee may elect to authorize regular payroll deductions during the next succeeding Purchase 
Period,  the  amount  of  which  may  not  exceed  15%  of  a  participant’s  compensation.    At  the  end  of  each  Purchase 
Period,  the  funds  withheld  by  each  participant  will  be  used  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Company’s  common  stock.  
The purchase price of each share of the Company’s common stock will be the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market 
value of such share on the first day of the Offering Period; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of such share on the 
last day of the applicable Purchase Period.  In general, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be 
purchased by a participant for each Purchase Period is determined by dividing $12,500 by the fair market value of 
one share of common stock on the Offering Date.  

The  following  are  descriptions  of  equity  plans  that  have  not  been  submitted  for  approval  by  the  Company’s 

stockholders:  

1999 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”):  The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors in 
1999.  The Plan provides for the grant to eligible employees of 45.2 million shares in the form of nonqualified stock 
options,  with  or  without  SARs,  restricted  stock  or  restricted  stock  units.    No  executive  officers  or  directors 
participate in this Plan.  

 Options are granted at not less than fair market value and have a term of ten years.  Options generally become 
exercisable  in  four  equal  annual  installments  beginning one  year  after  the  grant  date,  or  after  four  years  from  the 
date of grant.  Restricted stock granted under the Plan contains certain restrictions on transferability and may not be 
transferred until such restrictions lapse (generally two to four years).  Grantees may elect to use stock to satisfy any 
withholding tax obligation upon the lapsing of restrictions on restricted stock awards.   

1998 Canadian Stock Incentive Plan (the “Canadian Plan”):  The Canadian Plan was adopted by the Board of 
Directors  in  January  1998, following  the  Company’s  acquisition  of  a  Canadian  company,  to  provide  nonqualified 
stock options, with or without tandem SARs, to eligible employees of the Canadian company.  The Canadian Plan 
has  subsequently  been  amended  to  allow  for  the  grant  of  stock  options  to  employees  of  any  of  the  Company’s 
Canadian  subsidiaries.    A  total  of  0.9  million  shares  have  been  authorized  for  issuance  under  the  Canadian  Plan.  
Options  granted under  the  Canadian  Plan  are generally  subject  to  the  same  terms  and conditions  as  those granted 
under the 1999 Plan, discussed above, except that (i) options may be granted for less than the fair market value of 
the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and (ii) all options will become immediately exercisable upon an 
employee’s disability or death and must be exercised within three years of such date.  

Stock Option Plans Adopted in January 1999 and August 1999: On January 27, 1999 and August 25, 1999 the 
Board  of  Directors  adopted  certain  stock  option  plans  (the  “January  1999  Plan”  and  the  “August  1999  Plan”,  or 
together  the  “Plans”)  to  provide  stock  options  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  to  eligible 
employees of the Company pursuant to NYSE rules in effect at the time the Plans were established.  A maximum of 
5.8  million  and  5.2  million  shares  of  common  stock  were  authorized  for  issuance  under  the  January  1999  and 
August 1999 Plans.  In each case the Plans state that: (i) under each of the Plans no single officer or director of the 
Company or any subsidiary could acquire more than 1% of the Company’s common stock outstanding at the time 
the  Plans  were  adopted,  and  (ii)  each  of  the  Plans,  together  with  all  stock  option  or  purchase  plans,  or  any  other 
arrangements pursuant to which officers or directors of the Company may acquire common stock (other than stock 
plans for which stockholder approval is not required under Section 312.03 of the NYSE Rules), does not authorize 
the  issuance  of  more  than  5%  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  outstanding  at  the  time  the  Plans  were  adopted 
(collectively  the  “NYSE  Limits”).    Options  were  granted  under  each  of  the  Plans  to  eligible  employees  of  the 
Company.  No further grants will be made from either of the Plans. 

Options granted under these plans are generally subject to the same terms and conditions as those granted under 

the 1994 and 1999 Plans.   

 22

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

1999 Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “1999 SPP”):  The 1999 SPP was adopted by the Board of Directors 
in February 1999.  The 1999 SPP provided for the grant of rights to purchase a maximum of 0.7 million shares of 
common stock subject to the NYSE Limits.  No further grants will be made from the 1999 SPP. Rights to purchase 
shares were granted under the 1999 SPP to eligible employees of the Company.  The purchase price, to be paid in 
cash or using promissory notes, for the Company common stock subject to rights granted under the 1999 SPP was 
equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the right was exercised (which was the 
closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE).  Purchases were evidenced by written stock purchase 
agreements which provide for the payment of the purchase price by (i) payment in cash, or (ii) a promissory note 
payable on a repayment schedule determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or (iii) a combination 
of (i) and (ii).  

HBOC 1994 UK Sharesave Scheme (the “1994 Scheme”):  In connection with the acquisition by the Company 
of HBO & Company (“HBOC”), we assumed the HBOC 1994 Scheme which is similar to the ESPP, under which 
227,268 shares remain available for issuance.  Employees and previous directors of HBOC and its subsidiaries, who 
are residents of the United Kingdom, are eligible to receive options under the 1994 Scheme.  The exercise price of 
the  stock  covered  by  each  option  shall  not  be  less  than 85%  of  the  fair  market  value  of  the  Company’s  common 
stock  on  the  date  the  option  is  granted.    Participants  under  the  1994  Scheme  pay  for  options  through  monthly 
contributions, subject to minimum and maximum monthly limits.   

Item 13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 

Information with respect to certain transactions with management is incorporated by reference from the Proxy 
Statement under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”  Additional information regarding 
related  party  transactions  is  included  in  the  Financial  Review  section  of  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  and 
Financial Note 20, “Related Party Balances and Transactions,” to the consolidated financial statements. 

Item 14. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

Information  regarding  principal  accountant  fees  and  services  is  set  forth  under  the  heading  “Ratification  of 
Appointment  of  Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP  as  Independent  Auditors  for  2005”  in  our  Proxy  Statement  and  all  such 
information is incorporated herein by reference. 

PART IV 

Item 15. 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K 

(a)  Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedule and Exhibits 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: 
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Information”...................................................................................

Supplementary Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule— 
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ...........................................................................................................

Page  

30 

25 

Financial statements and schedules not included have been omitted because of the absence of 
conditions under which they are required or because the required information, where material, is 
shown in the financial statements, financial notes or supplementary financial information. 

Exhibits: 
Exhibits submitted with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and those 
incorporated by reference to other filings are listed on the Exhibit Index..................................................

26 

 23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)  Reports on Form 8-K 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

The following report on Form 8-K was filed during the three months ended March 31, 2004:  

Form 8-K date of report January 22, 2004, relating to a press release announcing the Company’s preliminary 
financial results for its third quarter of 2004. 

The  following  reports  on  Form  8-K  were  filed  during  the  period  between  April  1,  2004  and  the  date  of  this 
filing: 

Form  8-K  date  of  report  April  29,  2004  relating  to  a  press  release  announcing  the  Company’s  preliminary 
financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. 

Form  8-K  date  of  report  April  30,  2004  relating  to  recast  condensed  consolidated  operating  information  by 
business segment for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004. 

Form 8-K date of report May 4, 2004 relating to an employment litigation verdict against the Company. 

SIGNATURES 

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the 
Registrant  has  duly  caused  this  report  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly 
authorized. 

Dated:  June 10, 2004 

MCKESSON CORPORATION 

By /s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

On behalf of the Registrant and pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 

this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: 

* 

John H. Hammergren 
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer) 

* 

Jeffrey C. Campbell  
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 

* 

Nigel A. Rees 
Vice President and Controller 
(Principal Accounting Officer) 

Wayne A Budd, Director 

* 

Alton F. Irby III, Director 

* 

M. Christine Jacobs, Director 

* 

* 
Marie L. Knowles,  Director 

David M. Lawrence, Director 

* 

Robert W. Matschullat, Director 

* 

* 
James V. Napier, Director 

Jane E. Shaw, Director 

* 

* 
Richard F. Syron, Director 

  /s/ Ivan D. Meyerson 
Ivan D. Meyerson 
*Attorney-in-Fact 

Dated: June 10, 2004 

 24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

SUPPLEMENTARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS 
For the Years Ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 
(In millions) 

SCHEDULE II 

Description 

Year Ended March 31, 2004 
Allowances for doubtful accounts ............   $ 
Other allowances ......................................    

$ 

Year Ended March 31, 2003 
Allowances for doubtful accounts ............   $ 
Other allowances ......................................    

$ 

Year Ended March 31, 2002 
Allowances for doubtful accounts ............   $ 
Other allowances ......................................    

$ 

Additions 

Balance at 
Beginning of 
Year 

Charged to 
Costs and 
Expenses 

Charged to 
Other Accounts

Deductions 
From Allowance 
Accounts (1) 

Balance at End 
of Year (2) 

261.1 
29.0 
290.1 

289.3 
30.0 
319.3 

384.1 
36.6 
420.7 

$

$

$

$

$

$

54.4 
20.5 
74.9 

68.5 
13.4 
81.9 

61.7 
4.8 
66.5 

  $

$

  $

$

  $

$

0.4 
0.8 
1.2 

4.4 
0.2 
4.6 

3.6 
- 
3.6 

$

$

$

$

$

$

(176.6) (3) $ 
(12.8) 
(189.4)  $ 

139.3 
37.5 
176.8 

(101.1) (3) $ 
(14.6) 
(115.7)  $ 

(160.1)  $ 

(11.4) 
(171.5)  $ 

261.1 
29.0 
290.1 

289.3 
30.0 
319.3 

2004 

2003 

2002 

(1)  Deductions: 
  Written off.............................................................................................  $ 
Credited to other accounts ................................................................. 
Total .......................................................................................................  $ 

122.6 
66.8 
189.4 

  $ 

  $ 

88.1 
27.6 
115.7 

  $ 

  $ 

(2)  Amounts shown as deductions from: 

Current receivables .............................................................................  $ 
Notes receivable and other assets..................................................... 
Total .......................................................................................................  $ 

176.8 
- 
176.8 

  $ 

  $ 

285.4 
4.7 
290.1 

  $ 

  $ 

171.5 
- 
171.5 

319.3 
- 
319.3 

(3)  Includes $66.4 million and $22.3 million in 2004 and 2003 in reversals of the allowance for customer settlements within our 

Information Solutions segment.   

 25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

EXHIBIT INDEX 

Exhibits identified in parentheses below are on file with the Commission and are incorporated by reference as 

exhibits hereto.   

Exhibit 
Number 

Description 

3.1  Certificate  of  Amendment  of  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  as  filed  with  the
Delaware Secretary of State on August 1, 2002 (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 1-13252). 

3.2  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  as  filed  with  the  Delaware  Secretary  of  State  on
November 9, 2001 (Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002, File No. 1-13252). 

3.3  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company dated as of January 28, 2004. 
4.1  Rights Agreement dated as of October 21, 1994 between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company
of New York, as Rights Agent (Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form 10, filed on October 27, 1994). 

4.2  Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement dated as of October 19, 1998 (Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s

4.3 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, File No. 1-13252). 
Indenture, dated as of March 11, 1997, between the Company, as Issuer, and The First National Bank of
Chicago, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1997, File No. 1-13252). 

4.4  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of McKesson Financing Trust, dated as of February 20, 1997,
among the Company, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Institutional Trustee, First Chicago, Inc., as
Delaware  Trustee  and  the  Regular  Trustees  (Exhibit  4.2  to  Amendment  No.  1  to  the  Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-26433, filed on June 18, 1997). 

4.5  McKesson  Corporation  Preferred  Securities  Guarantee  Agreement,  dated  as  of  February  20,  1997,
between  the  Company,  as  Guarantor,  and  The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  Preferred  Guarantor
(Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-26433, filed on
May 2, 1997). 
Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2002, between the Company, as Issuer and the Bank of New York, as
Trustee (Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2002, File No. 1-3252). 
7.75%  Notes  due  2012  (Exhibit  4.7  to  the  Company’s  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the fiscal  year
ended March 31, 2002, File No 1-3252). 

4.7 

4.6 

10.1  McKesson Corporation 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, as amended through July 31, 2001
(Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended March 31, 2003,
File No. 1-13252).   

10.2  McKesson  Corporation  1999  Stock  Option  and  Restricted  Stock  Plan,  as  amended  through  March  31,
2004 (Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2003, File No. 13252). 
Statement  of  Terms  and  Conditions  Applicable  to  certain  Stock  Options  granted  on  August  16,  1999
(Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.3 

10.4  McKesson  Corporation  1997  Non-Employee  Directors’  Equity  Compensation  and  Deferral  Plan,  as

amended through January 29, 2003. 

10.5  McKesson  Corporation  Restated  Supplemental  PSIP  (Exhibit  10.6  to  the  Company’s  Annual  Report  on

Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252). 

10.6  McKesson  Corporation  Deferred  Compensation  Administration  Plan,  amended  as  of  January  27,  1999
(Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, 
File No. 1-13252). 

10.7  McKesson Corporation Deferred Compensation Administration Plan II, as amended effective January 27,
1999 (Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999, File No. 1-13252). 

 26

 
Exhibit 
Number 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

Description 

10.8  McKesson Corporation 1994 Option Gain Deferral Plan, as amended effective January 27, 1999 (Exhibit
10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, File No.
1-13252). 

10.9  McKesson  Corporation  Directors’  Deferred Compensation Plan,  as  amended  effective  January  27, 1999
(Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.10  McKesson Corporation 1985 Executives’ Elective Deferred Compensation Plan, amended as of January
27, 1999 (Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1999, File No. 1-13252). 

10.11  McKesson  Corporation  Management  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  amended  as  of  January  27,  1999
(Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.12  McKesson  Corporation  1984 Executive  Benefit  Retirement  Plan,  as  amended  through  January  27,  1999
(Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.13  McKesson  Corporation  1988  Executive  Survivor  Benefits  Plan,  as  amended  effective  January  27,  1999
(Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.14  McKesson  Corporation  Executive  Medical  Plan  Summary  (Exhibit  10.16  to  the  Company’s  Annual

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, File No. 1-13252). 

10.15  McKesson Corporation Severance Policy for Executive Employees, as amended and restated January 27,

2004. 

10.16  McKesson Corporation Management Incentive Plan, as amended through July 26, 2000 (Exhibit 10.17 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, File No 1-13252).
10.17  McKesson  Corporation  Amended  and  Restated  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan  (Exhibit  10.18  to  the

Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252). 

10.18  McKesson  Corporation  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  as  amended  through  July  31,  2002  (Exhibit  10.19  to  the

Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252). 

10.19  McKesson Corporation 1999 Executive Stock Purchase Plan (Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration

Statement No. 333-71917 filed on February 5, 1999). 

10.20  Statement  of  Terms  and  Conditions  Applicable  to  Certain  Stock  Options  Granted  on  January  27,  1999
(Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.21  McKesson  Corporation  1998  Canadian  Stock  Incentive  Plan,  as  amended  through  October  26,  2001
(Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002,
File No 1-13252). 

10.22  Receivables  Purchase  Agreement  dated  as  of  June  25,  1999  among  the  Company,  as  servicer,  CGSF
Funding  Corporation,  as  seller,  Preferred  Receivables  Funding  Corporation,  Falcon  Asset  Securitization
Corporation and Blue Ridge Asset Funding Corporation, as conduits, The First National Bank of Chicago
and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as managing agents, the several financial institutions from time to time party to
the  Agreement,  and  The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  collateral  agent  (Exhibit  10.33  to  the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, File No. 1-13252). 

10.23  First  Amendment  to  June  25,  1999  Receivables  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  September  29,  1999
(Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.24  Second  Amendment  to  June  25,  1999  Receivables  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  December  6,  1999
(Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.25  Third Amendment to June 25, 1999 Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 16, 2000 (Exhibit
10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, File No
1-13252). 

 27

 
Exhibit 
Number 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

Description 

10.26  Fourth Amendment to June 25, 1999 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2001 (Exhibit
10.42 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001, File
No. 1-13252). 

10.27  Fifth Amendment to June 25, 1999 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2002 (Exhibit
10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, File No.
1-13252). 

10.29  Sixth  Amendment  to  June  25,  1999  Receivables  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  December  4,  2002
(Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.30  Seventh Amendment to June 25, 1999 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2003. 
10.31  Credit Agreement dated as of November 10, 1998 among the Company, Medis Health and Pharmaceutical
Services  Inc.,  Bank  of  America  National  Trust  and  Savings  Association,  as  Agent,  Bank  of  America
Canada,  as  Canadian  Administrative  Agent,  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as  documentation  agent,  First
Union  National  Bank,  as  documentation  agent,  The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  documentation
agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto (Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, File No. 1-13252). 

10.32  First Amendment to November 10, 1998 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1999 (Exhibit 10.33 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, File No. 1-13252).
10.33  Second  Amendment  to  November  10,  1998  Credit  Agreement,  dated  as  of  December  1,  1999  (Exhibit
10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, File No.
1-13252). 

10.34  Syndicated Revolving Promissory Note dated as of May 28, 1999 among the Company, Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent, and the other noteholders’ signatures to the Note, Banc
of America L.L.C. as Sole Lead Arranger (Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, File No. 1-13252). 

10.35  Credit Agreement dated as of October 22, 1999 among the Company and the several financial institutions
from  time to time party to the Agreement (“Banks”), The Chase Manhattan Bank, First Union National
Bank, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company as documentation agents for Banks and Bank of America N.A. as
administrative  agent  for  Banks  (Exhibit  10.32  to  the  Company’s  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, File No. 1-13252). 

10.36  First Amendment to October 22, 1999 Credit Agreement dated as of October 10, 2000 (Exhibit 10.23 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, File No. 1-13252).
10.37  Second Amendment to October 5, 2001 Credit Agreement dated as of October 22, 1999 (Exhibit 10.22 to
the Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, File No 1-13252).
10.38  Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2002 among the Company, McKesson Canada Corporation,
and a syndicate of financial institutions (Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252). 

10.39  Credit  Agreement  dated  as  of  September  30,  2002  between  the  Company  and  a  syndicate  of  financial
institutions (Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2003, File No. 1-13252). 

10.40  Purchase  Agreement  dated  as  of  December  31,  2002  between  McKesson  Capital  Corp.  and  General
Electric Capital Corporation (Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252).   

10.41  Services  Agreement  dated  as  of  December  31,  2002  between  McKesson  Capital  Corp.  and  General
Electric Capital Corporation (Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-13252).   

10.42  Form of Termination Agreement by and between the Company and certain designated Corporate Officers
(Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995,
File No. 1-13252). 

10.43  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as  of  April  1,  2004,  by  and  between  the  Company  and  its  Chairman,

President and Chief Executive Officer.   

10.44  Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2004, by and between the Company and its Executive Vice

President and President Provider Technologies. 

 28

 
Exhibit 
Number 

McKESSON CORPORATION 

Description 

10.45  Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2004, by and between the Company and its Executive Vice

President and Group President. 
List of Subsidiaries of the Company 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Power of Attorney 

21 
23 
24 
31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities 

Exchange Act, as amended.   

31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of

32 

the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. 
Certification  Pursuant  to  18  U.S.C.  Section  1350,  as  Adopted  Pursuant  to  Section  906  of  the  Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. 

_______  

Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request a copy of each instrument defining the rights of 
security holders with respect to issues of long-term debt of the Registrant, the authorized principal amount of which 
does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant. 

 29

 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Five-Year Highlights 
Financial Review 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Financial Statements: 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 and 2003 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 
Financial Notes 

Page 
31 
32 
54 

55 
56 
57 
58 
59 

 30

 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FIVE-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS 

(In millions, except per share amounts and ratios) 

2004  

As of and for the Years Ended March 31, 
2001 (1) 
2003  
2002 

2000 (1) 

Operating Results 
Revenues 

Percent change 

$

69,506.1 

  $

57,120.8 

  $

49,988.1 

  $  42,000.1 

  $

36,685.9 

21.7%  

14.3%  

19.0%  

14.5%   

22.4% 

Gross profit  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 
Income (loss) from continuing operations 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Net income (loss) 

3,248.2 
911.4 
646.5 
- 
646.5 

3,102.5 
851.4 
562.1 
(6.7) 
555.4 

2,788.5 
602.1 
421.8 

(3.2)   

418.6 

2,417.0 
4.6 
(43.3) 
(5.0) 
(48.3) 

2,210.9 
300.7 
183.3 
540.4 
723.7 

Financial Position 
Working capital 
Days sales outstanding for: (2) 
Customer receivables 
Inventories 
Drafts and accounts payable 

Total assets 
Total debt, including capital lease obligations 
Stockholders' equity 
Property acquisitions  

Common Share Information 
Common shares outstanding at year-end 
Shares on which earnings per common share were 

based 
Diluted  
Basic 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share  

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Total 

Cash dividends declared (3) 
Cash dividends declared per common share(3) 
Book value per common share (4) 
Market value per common share – year end 

Supplemental Data 
Capital employed (5) 
Debt to capital ratio (6) 
Net debt to net capital employed (7) 
Average stockholders’ equity (8) 
Return on stockholders’ equity (9) 

Footnotes to Five Year Highlights:  

3,548.1 

3,278.4 

3,112.0 

2,610.7 

2,838.1 

25 
36 
40 
16,240.2 
1,484.6 
5,165.3 
115.0 

26 
39 
43 
14,361.1 
1,507.1 
4,525.5 
116.0 

26 
44 
47 
13,333.9 
1,636.2 
3,937.2 
130.8 

26 
43 
45 
11,540.3 
1,436.2 
3,490.1 
158.0 

28 
43 
40 
10,383.4 
1,466.2 
3,562.5 
144.1 

290.4 

291.2 

287.9 

284.0 

283.4 

298.6 
290.0 

2.19 
- 
2.19 
69.7 
0.24 
17.79 
30.09 

298.8 
289.3 

1.90 
(0.02) 
1.88 
69.7 
0.24 
15.54 
24.93 

298.1 
285.2 

1.44 
(0.01)   
1.43 
68.5 
0.24 
13.68 
37.43 

283.1 
283.1 

(0.15) 
(0.02) 
(0.17) 
68.3 

0.24 
12.29 
26.75 

284.2 
281.3 

0.65 
1.90 
2.55 
67.5 
0.24 
12.57 
21.00 

6,649.9 

6,032.6 

5,573.4 

4,926.3 

5,028.7 

22.3%   
12.9%   

4,834.8 

13.4%   

25.0%  
17.7%  

4,216.5 

13.2%  

29.4%  
21.4%  

3,701.9 

11.3%  

29.2%   
22.1%   

3,608.8 

(1.3)%  

29.2% 
19.5% 

3,117.2 

23.2% 

(1)  2001 and 2000 results include goodwill amortization.  In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 

142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we discontinued amortizing goodwill in 2002. 

(2)  Based on year-end balances and sales or cost of sales for the last 90 days of the year.  Days sales outstanding for customer 

receivables are adjusted to include accounts receivable sold. 

(3)  Cash  dividends  declared  and  dividends  per  common  share  amounts  do  not  reflect  the  effects  of  pooling  of  interests 
transactions  prior  to  the  adoption  of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standard  No.  141,  “Business  Combinations,”  in 
2002. 

(4)  Represents stockholders’ equity divided by year-end common shares outstanding. 
(5)  Consists of total debt and stockholders’ equity. 
(6)  Ratio is computed as total debt divided by capital employed. 
(7)  Ratio is computed as total debt, net of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (“net debt”), divided by net debt and 

stockholders’ equity (“net capital employed”). 

(8)  Represents a five-quarter average of stockholders’ equity. 
(9)  Ratio is computed as net income (loss), divided by a five-quarter average of stockholders’ equity. 

 31

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
     
   
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition 

GENERAL 

Management’s  discussion  and  analysis  of  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition,  referred  to  as  the 
Financial  Review,  is  intended  to  assist  the  reader  in  the  understanding  and  assessment  of  significant  changes  and 
trends related to the results of operations and financial position of the Company together with its subsidiaries.  This 
discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying 
financial notes.  The Company’s fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31.  Unless otherwise noted, all 
references in this document to a particular year shall mean the Company’s fiscal year. 

We  conduct  our  business  through  three  operating  segments:  Pharmaceutical  Solutions,  Medical-Surgical 
Solutions and Information Solutions.  See Financial Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, 
“Significant Accounting Policies,” for a description of these segments.  In addition, in order to respond to changes in 
our  business  environment,  in  April  2004  the  Company  reorganized  certain  businesses  within  these  operating 
segments.    Our  Financial  Review  is  prepared  based  on  operating  segments  in  effect  at  March  31,  2004.  
Supplemental  financial  information  regarding  our  operating  segments  under  our  new  organizational  structure  is 
included under the caption “2005 Operating Segments” included in this Financial Review.  

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Overview: 

(In millions, except per share data) 
Revenues 
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes  
Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share 

$ 

$ 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 
57,120.8 
851.4 
555.4 

  $ 

  $ 

2004 
69,506.1 
911.4 
646.5 

2.19    $ 

1.88    $ 

2002 
49,988.1 
602.1 
418.6 
1.43 

Revenues increased 22% to $69.5 billion in 2004 and 14% to $57.1 billion in 2003 primarily reflecting revenue 
growth  in  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  which  is  attributable  to  market  growth  rates  as  well  as  new 
customers and/or expanded business with existing customers.  

Gross  profit  increased  5%  to  $3.2  billion  and  11%  to  $3.1  billion  in  2004  and  2003.    As  a  percentage  of 
revenues, gross  margins  declined 76  and 15  basis points  in  2004  and  2003.   Declines  in  our  gross  profit  margins 
primarily  reflect  a  higher  proportion  of  our  revenue  being  attributable  to  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment, 
which  has  lower  margins  relative  to  our  other  segments  and  a  decline  in  the  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment’s 
margin  in  2004.    This  segment’s  gross  profit  margin  was  impacted  by  declines  in  the  sell  margin  due  to  the 
competitive environment in which we operate as well as pressure on its buy side margin and by a higher proportion 
of  sales  to  customers’  warehouses  which  have  lower  margins.    In  addition,  gross  profit  in  2004  and  2003  was 
impacted by a number of significant items, which are discussed in further detail, including a $51.0 million provision 
for  expected  losses  on  five  multi-year  contracts  in  our  Information  Solutions  segment’s  international  business  in 
2003. 

Operating  expenses  increased  4%  to  $2.3  billion  and  $2.2  billion  in  2004  and  2003.    As  a  percentage  of 
revenues,  operating  expenses  decreased  54  and  38  basis  points  in  2004  and  2003.    Operating  expenses  as  a 
percentage  of  revenues  have  declined  over  the  last  two  years,  mainly  due  to  leveraging  of  our  fixed  cost 
infrastructure and productivity improvements in back-office and field operations as well as a higher proportion of 
sales  to  customers’  warehouses  which  have  lower  operating  expense  margins.    Increases  in  operating  expense 
dollars were primarily due to additional expenses incurred to support our sales volume growth.  Operating expenses 
were also impacted by a number of significant items which are discussed in further detail, including a $66.4 million 
credit  pertaining  to  the  reversal  of  a  portion  of  customer  settlement  reserves  within  our  Information  Solutions 
segment in 2004 and $39.8 million in restructuring charges primarily related to a restructuring plan initiated for our 
Medical-Surgical Solutions segment and restructuring activities in our Information Solutions segment in 2002.   

Income  before  income  taxes  increased  7%  to  $911.4  million  and  41%  to  $851.4  million  in  2004  and  2003, 
reflecting the above noted factors.  On an operating segment basis, results for 2004 primarily reflect revenue growth 

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

and  competitive  pricing  pressure  in  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment,  and  improved  operating  profit  in  our 
Medical-Surgical  Solutions  and  Information  Solutions  segments.    Results  for  2003  reflect  revenue  growth  and 
operating  margin  expansion  in  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  and  improved  operating  profit  in  our 
Information Solutions segment.   

Net income increased 16% to $646.5 million in 2004 and 33% to $555.4 million in 2003.  Diluted earnings per 
share increased 16% to $2.19 in 2004 and 31% to $1.88 in 2003.  In addition to those factors discussed above, net 
income  reflected  a  reduction  in  our  effective  income  tax  rates,  as  well  as  a  $23.2  million  tax  benefit  relating  to 
favorable tax settlements and adjustments in 2004 and a $36.1 million tax benefit in 2002 relating to the sale of a 
business.  

Revenues: 

(In millions) 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  U.S. Healthcare Direct Distribution & Services 
  U.S. Healthcare Sales to Customers’ Warehouses 

Subtotal 

  Canada Distribution & Services 

Total Pharmaceutical Solutions 

Medical-Surgical Solutions 

Information Solutions 
  Services  
  Software 
  Hardware 

Total Information Solutions 

Total Revenues  

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

39,539.7  $   
21,622.1 
61,161.8 
4,458.9 
65,620.7 

2,707.5 

832.2 
229.7 
116.0 
1,177.9 

$ 

69,506.1  $   

34,982.5 
14,832.9 
49,815.4 
3,423.0 
53,238.4 

2,743.4 

799.8 
238.2 
101.0 
1,139.0 
57,120.8 

  $ 

  $ 

30,188.4 
13,184.9 
43,373.3 
2,884.8 
46,258.1 

2,726.0 

736.1 
182.6 
85.3 
1,004.0 
49,988.1 

Revenues  increased  22%  in  2004  and  14%  in  2003.    The  growth  in  revenues  was  primarily  driven  by  the 
Pharmaceutical Solutions segment, which accounted for more than 90% of revenues.  Revenues were not materially 
impacted by business acquisitions. 

The customer mix of our U.S. pharmaceutical distribution revenues was as follows: 

Direct Sales 

Independents 
Retail Chains 
Institutions 
Subtotal 

Sales to Customers’ Warehouses 

Total 

2004 

2003 

2002 

13% 
22 
29 
64 
36 
100% 

14% 
26 
29 
69 
31 
100% 

15% 
29 
25 
69 
31 
100% 

 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Increases  in  U.S.  Healthcare  pharmaceutical  distribution  and  services  revenues  for  2004,  excluding  sales  to 
customers’ warehouses, primarily reflect market growth rates as well as new independent pharmacy, mail order and 
institutional customers in our pharmaceutical distribution business.  Increases in these revenues for 2003 also reflect 
market  growth  rates  as  well  as  new  retail  and  institutional  customers  in  our  pharmaceutical  distribution  business, 
new business that was previously direct or outside the distribution channel and growth in our automation, specialty 
pharmaceutical products, and pharmacy outsourcing services businesses.  Market growth rates reflect growing drug 
utilization and price increases, which are offset in part by the increased use of lower priced generics.   

U.S. Healthcare sales to customers’ warehouses increased primarily as a result of several expanded agreements 
with existing customers in 2004, and also growth from existing customers in 2004 and 2003.  Sales to customers’ 
warehouses represent large volume sales of pharmaceuticals primarily to a limited number of large self-warehousing 
customers  whereby  we  order  and  subsequently  deliver  bulk  products  from  the  manufacturer  to  the  customers’ 
warehouses through a central distribution facility. These sales provide a benefit to our customers in that they can use 
one source for both their direct store-to-store business and their warehouse business.   

Canadian pharmaceutical distribution revenues increased in 2004 reflecting market growth rates, new business 
from manufacturers who formerly engaged in direct distribution activities and favorable foreign exchange rates.  On 
a  constant  currency  basis,  revenues  from  our  Canadian  operations  would  have  increased  approximately  14% 
compared  to  2003.    Revenues  for  2003  also  increased  reflecting  market  growth  rates,  greater  sales  to  existing 
customers,  increased  sales  of  product  that  previously  went  direct  from  manufacturers,  and  to  a  lesser  extent, 
favorable foreign exchange rates.   

Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distribution  revenues  decreased  nominally  in  2004  and  increased 
nominally in 2003.  Increases in our primary and extended care sectors were either fully offset or almost fully offset 
by  a  decline  in  revenues  in  the  acute  care  sector.    The  segment’s  decline  in  its  acute  care  business  reflects  the 
competitive environment in which it operates and the transition of the loss of the segment’s largest customer. 

Information  Solutions  segment  revenues  increased  in  2004  primarily  from  services  and  hardware  revenues.  
Revenues  for  2004  reflect  decreases  in  sales  of  non-clinical  solutions  and  longer  installation  periods  required  for 
certain large complex clinical implementations, which have the effect of delaying revenue recognition.  Revenues 
for  2003  increased  reflecting  the  sale  of  new  clinical  products  including  those  from  Horizon  Medical  ImagingTM, 
which was the result of our July 2002 purchase of A.L.I. Technologies Inc. (“A.L.I.”).   

Gross Profit:  

(Dollars in millions) 
Gross Profit  
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 

Total 

Gross Profit Margin 
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 

Total 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

$ 

2,129.5 
534.1 
584.6 
3,248.2 

  $ 

  $ 

2,047.2 
523.1 
532.2 
3,102.5 

  $ 

  $ 

1,788.4 
524.2 
475.9 
2,788.5 

3.25% 
19.73   
49.63   
4.67   

3.85% 
19.07   
46.73   
5.43   

3.87%
19.23 
47.40 
5.58 

Gross  profit  increased  by  5%  in  2004  and  11%  in  2003.    As  a  percentage  of  revenues,  gross  profit  margin 
decreased  76  basis  points  in  2004  and  15  basis  points  in  2003.    In  2004,  gross  profit  margin  decreased  primarily 
reflecting  a  higher  proportion  of  revenues  attributable  to  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment,  which  has  lower 
margins relative to our other segments and a decline in the Pharmaceutical Solutions segment’s margin as discussed 
in  more  detail  below.    2004  gross  profit  margin  also  reflects  improvements  in  our  Medical-Surgical  Solutions 
segment  as  sales  increased  in  alternate  site  markets  which  have  higher  margins  and  in  our  Information  Solutions 
segment reflecting lower contract loss accruals during the year.   

 34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

In 2004, gross margin for our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment was impacted by: 

− 

− 

− 

− 

lower  selling  margins  within  our  U.S.  Pharmaceutical  distribution  business  which  reflect  competitive  pricing 
pressure.    We  have  also  been  experiencing  pressure  on  our  buy  side  margin  as  the  industry  is  evolving, 
including  the  ways  in  which  distributors  are  being  compensated  by  manufacturers.    Certain  types  of  vendor 
product incentives and sources of supply, such as certain inventory purchases on the secondary market, are not 
available at historical levels to the major distributors which has the impact of reducing gross margins.  Much of 
this  change results  from  the  manufacturers’  desire  to  limit  the  amount of  inventory  in  the  channel.   We have 
been  actively  working  with  manufacturers  through  restructured  distribution  agreements  to  ensure  that  we  are 
appropriately  compensated  for  the  services  we  provide.    In  addition,  the  proportion  of  cash  discounts  to 
revenues increased reflecting a change in customer mix, 

a  higher  proportion  of  revenues  attributed  to  sales  to  customers’  warehouses  within  our  U.S.  pharmaceutical 
distribution business.  As previously discussed, sales to customers’ warehouses represent bulk shipments which 
we purchase and bring in to our central distribution center and subsequently ship out in bulk to our customers’ 
warehouses.    These  revenues  differ  from  our  traditional  direct  store  business  in  that  we  do  not  break  the 
merchandise down; the merchandise comes in and goes out in the original bulk containers and we ship only to 
warehouse  locations.    We  have  significantly  lower  gross  margin  on  these  sales  as  we  pass  much  of  the 
efficiencies  of  this  low  cost-to-serve  model  on  to  the  customer.    These  sales  do,  however,  contribute  to  our 
gross profit dollars in that the volume allows us to earn incremental product sourcing profits.  In addition, our 
cash  flows  benefit  from  these  sales  due  to  favorable  timing  between  the  customer  payment  to  us  and  our 
payment to the supplier,  

a LIFO charge of $27.9 million compared to a credit of $13.7 million in 2003.  The 2004 charge was primarily 
attributed to a small number of pharmaceutical drugs which did not move to the generic category (i.e., the price 
did not decrease) until after year-end or are still pending,  

a  deferral  of  approximately  $33  million  in  gross  profit  as  the  recognition  of  revenue  was  delayed  due  to 
contracting changes in our Automation business,  

−  unfavorable adjustments from certain fixed-price contracts in this segment’s pharmacy outsourcing business,  

−  partially offsetting the above decreases, the benefit of increased sales of generic drugs with higher margins, and 

− 

− 

− 

− 

the  receipt  of  $21.7  million  cash  proceeds  representing  our  share  of  a  settlement  of  an  antitrust  class  action 
lawsuit  brought  against  the  manufacturer  of  a  cardiac  drug.    In  2005,  an  additional  cash  settlement  of  $41.2 
million has been received relating to an antitrust class action lawsuit involving another drug manufacturer.  This 
additional settlement will be recorded in the first quarter of 2005. 

The decline in gross profit margin in 2003 primarily reflects: 

a higher proportion of revenues attributable to our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment, which has lower margins 
relative to our other segments,  

a  decline  in  the  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment’s  gross  margin  reflecting  a  higher  proportion  of  revenues 
attributable to sales to customers’ warehouses as well as a decrease in selling margin to customers in the U.S. 
Pharmaceutical distribution business.  These decreases were partially offset by greater product sourcing profits 
on  branded  pharmaceuticals  and  the  benefit  of  increased  sales  of  generic  drugs  with  higher  margins.    In 
addition, the segment benefited from the growth in higher margin products and services, and 

a  $51.0  million  provision  for  expected  losses  on  five  multi-year  contracts  in  our  Information  Solutions 
segment’s  international  business.    Substantially  all  of  these  expected  losses  pertain  to  contracts  that  were 
entered into in 2001 or earlier.  These contracts contain multiple-element deliverables, including customization 
of  software.    In  addition,  these  contracts  place  significant  reliance  on  third  party  vendors,  as  well  as  the 
customers.   

During  the  software  development  and  implementation  phases  of  these  contracts,  despite  experiencing  certain 
operational issues, we believed these contracts could be fully performed on a timely basis and remain profitable.  
In 2003, after experiencing numerous delays in product delivery and functionality, we conducted a reassessment 
of  the  contract  delivery  and  project  methodology,  including  assessment  of  our  third  party  vendors’  ability  to 
perform  under  these  contracts.    We  determined  that  certain  contract  obligations,  including  software 
functionality,  could  not  be  met  within  existing  contract  cost  estimates  and  delivery  dates.    Accordingly,  we 

 35

 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

reassessed our estimate of the costs to fulfill our contract obligations and recorded a $51.0 million provision for 
the expected contract losses. 

Partially offsetting the above, this segment’s gross margin benefited from greater software revenues with higher 
margins. 

Our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  uses  the  last-in,  first-out  (“LIFO”)  method  of  accounting  for  the 
majority of its inventories, which results in cost of sales that more closely reflects replacement cost than do other 
accounting methods, thereby mitigating the effects of inflation and deflation on operating profit.  The practice in the 
Pharmaceutical Solutions distribution businesses is to pass on to customers published price changes from suppliers.  
Manufacturers generally provide us with price protection, which prevents inventory losses.  Price declines on many 
generic pharmaceutical products in this segment over the last few years have moderated the effects of inflation in 
other product categories, which resulted in minimal overall price changes in those fiscal years. 

Operating Expenses:   

(Dollars in millions) 
Operating Expenses 
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 
  Corporate 
Total 

Operating Expenses as a Percentage of Revenues 
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 

Total 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

$ 

1,229.0 
445.5 
396.7 
193.6 
2,264.8 

  $ 

  $ 

1,107.0 
459.8 
439.8 
162.9 
2,169.5 

  $ 

  $ 

1,023.5 
461.2 
455.5 
147.0 
2,087.2 

1.87% 
16.45   
33.68   
3.26   

2.08% 
16.76   
38.61   
3.80   

2.21%
16.92 
45.37 
4.18 

Operating expenses increased 4% in 2004 and 2003.  Excluding the items noted below, increases in operating 

expenses were primarily due to additional expenses incurred to support our sales volume growth.   

Operating expenses included the following significant items: 

2004 

− 

− 

− 

− 

− 

a  $21.0  million  charge  for  uncollected  balances  on  loans  made  to  former  employees  for  the  purchase  of 
McKesson common stock primarily in February 1999, which was recorded in our Corporate expenses,  
increase  in  operating  expenses  attributable  to  higher  foreign  currency  exchange  rates  for  our  Canadian 
operations,  
increases in pension expense of $14.6 million primarily for our U.S. defined benefit pension plans.  In 2004 and 
2003, we reduced the assumed long-term rate of asset return and the discount rate for our U.S. defined benefit 
pension  plans  to  better  reflect  long-term  expectations  for  the  plans’  portfolios  and  rates  for  high-quality 
corporate long term bonds,  
a  $66.4  million  credit  pertaining  to  the  reversal  of  a  portion  of  customer  settlement  reserves  within  our 
Information Solutions segment.  Information regarding this and other restructuring programs is included under 
the caption “Restructuring Activities,” included in this Financial Review, 
a  net  decrease  in  bad  debt  expense  of  $14.1  million;  however,  bad  debt  expense  varied  greatly  by  operating 
segment which is also discussed below in further detail, and  

−  $14.8  million  of  gains  on  the  sales  of  three  surplus  properties,  most  of  which  was  recorded  in  Corporate 

administrative expenses. 

 36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

2003  

− 

a  $22.3  million  credit  for  the  reversal  of  a  portion  of  customer  settlement  reserves  within  our  Information 
Solutions segment. 

2002 

−  $39.8 million in restructuring charges primarily related to a restructuring plan initiated for our Medical-Surgical 

Solutions segment and restructuring activities in our Information Solutions segment, and  

−  $22.0 million in pre-tax losses on the sales of three businesses.   

Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, excluding the above noted items, have declined over the last 
two  years,  mainly  due  to  the  leveraging  of  our  fixed  cost  infrastructure  and  productivity  improvements  in  back-
office  and  field  operations  as  well  as  a  higher  proportion  of  sales  to  customers’  warehouses  which  have  lower 
operating expense margins. 

Other Income and Gain (Loss) on Investments, net:   

(In millions) 
Other Income, net 
Gain (Loss) on Investments, net 

Total 

By Segment 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 
Corporate 
Total 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

49.4 
(1.2)  
48.2 

  $ 

  $ 

32.2 
3.0 
2.5 
10.5 
48.2 

  $ 

  $ 

45.1 
1.4 
46.5 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

47.7 
2.1 
2.0 
(5.3)   
46.5    $ 

40.4 
(13.7) 
26.7 

37.4 
1.7 
1.3 
(13.7) 
26.7 

Other income increased nominally in 2004 and by a larger amount in 2003.  In 2004, other income decreased in 
our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  primarily  reflecting  decreases  in  equity  income  and  gains  on  sales  of 
investments whereas other income increased for Corporate primarily due to greater interest income.  Other income 
increased  in  2003  primarily  due  to  gains  on  sales  of  venture  investments  within  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions 
segment  and  a  decrease  in  Corporate  other-than-temporary  impairment  losses  on  equity  and  joint  venture 
investments.   

Segment Operating Profit and Corporate Expenses:  

(Dollars in millions) 
Segment Operating Profit  
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 

Total 

Corporate Expenses  
Interest Expense 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

  $ 

932.7 
91.6 
190.4 
1,214.7 
(183.1)  
(120.2)  

  $ 

987.9 
65.4 
94.4 
1,147.7 
(168.2)   
(128.1)   

802.3 
64.7 
21.7 
888.7 
(160.7) 
(125.9) 

Income from Continuing Operations, Before Income Taxes  

$ 

911.4 

  $ 

851.4 

  $ 

602.1 

Segment Operating Profit Margin 
  Pharmaceutical Solutions 
  Medical-Surgical Solutions 
  Information Solutions 

1.42% 
3.38 
16.16 

1.86% 
2.38 
8.29 

1.73%
2.37 
2.16 

Segment  operating  profit  includes  gross  margin,  net  of  operating  expenses,  other  income  and  gain  (loss)  on 
investments for our three business segments.  In addition to the significant items previously discussed, increases in 
segment  operating  profit  dollars  reflect  revenue  growth  and  increased  operating  profit  in  our  Pharmaceutical 

 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Solutions segment, combined with improved operating profits in our Information Solutions segment and for 2004, 
improved operating profits in our Medical-Surgical Solutions segment.   

Operating  profit  as  a  percentage  of  revenues  decreased  in  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  in  2004 
primarily  reflecting  the  previously  discussed  decline  in  gross  margins,  and  an  additional  $30.0  million  bad  debt 
provision  for  a  customer  bankruptcy.    These  decreases  were  offset  in  part  by  productivity  improvements  in 
operations, a $21.7 million cash settlement of an antitrust class action lawsuit brought against the manufacturer of a 
cardiac  drug  and  lower  restructuring  charges.    Operating  profit  as  a  percentage  of  revenues  increased  in  2003 
reflecting  productivity  improvements  in  operations  offset  in  part  by  a  decline  in  gross  margins.    In  addition, 
operating profit in 2003 benefited from $9.9 million of gains on sales of venture investments.   

Medical-Surgical Solutions segment’s operating profit as a percentage of revenues increased in 2004 primarily 
reflecting improvements in gross profit and a reduction in operating expenses.  The reduction in operating expenses 
includes  the  removal  of  duplicate  operating  costs  (discussed  in  more  detail  below),  benefits  from  the  segment’s 
2003/2002  distribution  center  network  consolidation  plan,  as  well  as  other  operational  improvements  including  a 
significant  decrease  in  bad  debt  expense.    The  segment  is  also  anticipating  completing  its  information  systems 
consolidation  plan  in  2005  and  anticipates  continuing  benefits  from  more  efficient  operations  as  a  result  of  its 
consolidation plans.  

Operating profit as a percentage of revenues in 2003 for our Medical-Surgical Solutions segment approximated 
that  of  2002.    Starting  in  2002,  this  segment  experienced  an  increase  in  the  competitive  environment  in  which  it 
operates and the commencement of a self-warehousing strategy by a major customer.  These changes resulted in the 
initiation  of  the  segment’s  distribution  center  network  consolidation  plan  which  included  $29.6  million  of 
restructuring  and  related  asset  impairment  charges.    Results  for  2003  and  2002  also  include  duplicate  operating 
expenses associated with the segment’s restructuring activities and replacement of information systems.  Additional 
operating  expenses  incurred  include  duplicate  payroll,  transportation  and  warehouse  costs  as  the  segment 
consolidated  distribution  centers.    In  2003,  operating  profit  benefited  from  $12.0  million  in  reversals  of  the  prior 
year’s  accrued  restructuring  charges  as  a  result  of  a  modification  to  the  segment’s  distribution  center  network 
consolidation  plan.    This  benefit  was  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in  bad  debt  expense  of  approximately  $11 
million.  

Information  Solutions  segment’s  operating  profit  as  a  percentage  of  revenues  increased  in  2004  and  2003.  
Operating  profit  for  2004  reflects  a  higher  gross  profit  margin,  $66.4  million  of  reversals  of  customer  settlement 
reserves  due  to  favorable  settlements  and  negotiations,  and  better  control  of  expenses.    Operating  profit  for  2003 
reflects  improvements  in  gross  profit  offset  by  a  $51.0  million  provision  for  expected  losses  on  five  multi-year 
contracts within the segment’s international business, a $22.3 million credit for the reversal of a portion of customer 
settlement reserves and more efficient operations resulting from improved customer support activities and control of 
expenses.    In  2002,  this  segment  incurred  $19.3  million  of  losses  on  sales  of  businesses  and  $12.0  million  in 
restructuring and related asset impairment charges. 

Corporate  expenses  increased  in  2004  and  2003.    Expenses  for  2004  reflect  a  $21.0  million  charge  for 
uncollected balances on loans made to former employees for the purchase of McKesson common stock primarily in 
February 1999, additional legal costs associated with our pending securities litigation, higher pension expense and 
severance costs associated with the restructuring of our enterprise-wide information network support departments.  
Partially offsetting these increases was approximately $13 million of gains on the sales of surplus properties.  The 
increase  in  2003  expenses  was  principally  due  to  higher  benefit  and  insurance  costs  and  lower  pension  income, 
partially  offset  by  lower  venture  investment  impairment  losses,  lower  expenses  associated  with  the  use  of  our 
accounts receivable sales facility and a decrease in expenses associated with an investment. 

Interest Expense:  Interest expense decreased in 2004 primarily due to lower average borrowings, including the 
repayment  of  $125.0  million  of  6.55%  notes  in  November  2002.    Interest  expense  increased  nominally  in  2003 
primarily due to higher average borrowings including the issuance of $400.0 million 7.75% notes in January 2002 
partially offset by the retirement of $175.0 million 6.875% notes in March 2002 and $125.0 million 6.55% notes in 
November 2002.  In addition, we also utilized our accounts receivable sales facility more in 2003 compared to 2004 
and  2002  in  order  to  meet  our  financing  needs.    The  costs  associated  with  this  facility  are  recorded  in  Corporate 
expenses. 

 38

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Income Taxes:  The Company’s effective tax rate was 29.1%, 34.0% and 29.9% in 2004, 2003 and 2002.  In 
addition to the items noted below, fluctuations in the effective tax rate are primarily due to changes within state and 
foreign  effective  tax  rates  resulting  from  the  Company’s  business  mix,  including  a  higher  proportion  of  income 
attributable to foreign countries that have lower income tax rates.  In addition, our effective tax rate in 2004 also 
benefited from various state tax initiatives.   

In 2004, we recorded a $23.2 million tax benefit relating to favorable tax settlements and adjustments with the 
U.S. Internal Revenue Service and with various taxing authorities.  A large portion of this benefit, which was not 
previously  recognized  by  the  Company,  resulted  from  the  filing  of  amended  tax  returns  by  our  subsidiary, 
McKesson Information Solutions (formerly known as HBO & Company) for the years ended December 31, 1998 
and 1997.  

In 2002, we sold three businesses for a pre-tax loss of $22.0 million and an after-tax gain of $22.0 million.  For 
accounting  purposes,  the  net  assets  of  one  of  these  businesses  were  written  down  in  2001  in  connection  with  the 
restructuring of a former segment.  The tax benefit could not be recognized until 2002 when the sale of the business 
was completed.   

Discontinued Operations:  Net loss from discontinued operations was $6.7 million ($0.02 per diluted share) in 
2003 and $3.2 million ($0.01 per diluted share) in 2002.  Results from discontinued operations include those of a 
marketing  fulfillment  business  which  we  sold  in  2003  as  well  as  adjustments  made  in  2003  relating  to  the  2000 
divestiture of our Water Products business.   

Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding:  Diluted earnings per share were calculated based on an average 

number of shares outstanding of 298.6 million, 298.8 million and 298.1 million for 2004, 2003 and 2002.   

International Operations 

International operations accounted for 6.7%, 6.3% and 6.0% of 2004, 2003 and 2002 of consolidated revenues.  
International operations are subject to certain risks, including currency fluctuations.  We monitor our operations and 
adopt strategies responsive to changes in the economic and political environment in each of the countries in which 
we operate.  Additional information regarding our international operations is also included in Financial Notes 4 and 
21, “Contracts” and “Segments of Business” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

Restructuring Activities 

Net charges (credits) from restructuring activities over the last three years were as follows: 

(In millions, except for number of employees) 
By Expense Type: 
Severance 
Exit-related costs 
Asset impairments 

Subtotal 

Customer settlement reserve reversals 

Total 

By Segment: 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 
Corporate 
Total 

Years Ended March 31, 

2004 

2003 

2002 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

  $ 

5.8 
(2.3)  
0.3 
3.8 
(66.4)  
(62.6)   $ 

(0.2)   $ 
0.6 
(66.6)  
3.6 

(62.6)   $ 

(5.8)    $ 
(0.3)   
1.3 
(4.8)   
(22.3)   
(27.1)    $ 

  $ 

7.7 
(11.7)   
(22.3)   
(0.8)   

(27.1)    $ 

14.0 
18.2 
7.6 
39.8 
- 
39.8 

2.6 
26.0 
12.0 
(0.8) 
39.8 

Number of employees terminated (primarily in distribution, 

delivery and associated back-office functions) 

151 

326 

295 

 39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

In 2004, net charges for restructuring activities, excluding customer settlement reserve reversals, amounted to 
$3.8 million.  These charges related to a number of smaller initiatives offset in part by adjustments to prior years’ 
restructuring reserves.  

In  2003,  net  credits  for  restructuring  activities,  excluding  customer  settlement  reserve  reversals,  amounted  to 
$4.8 million.  These net credits primarily related to $12.0 million of reversals of severance and exit-related accruals 
pertaining  to  our  re-evaluation  of  our  2002  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distribution  center  network 
consolidation  plan.    The  original  consolidation  plan  included  a  net  reduction  of  20  distribution  centers,  from  51, 
compared to a net reduction of 14 under the revised plan.  Net credits for 2003 also include $5.1 million of charges 
for additional facility closure costs associated with prior years’ restructuring plans in our Pharmaceutical Solutions 
segment. 

In 2002, net charges for restructuring activities of $39.8 million included severance charges of $19.8 million, 
exit-related  charges  of  $19.5  million  and  asset  impairment  charges  of  $7.6  million  primarily  related  to  a  plan  to 
reduce  the  number  of  distribution  centers  in  our  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment,  as  well  as  restructuring 
activities in our Information Solutions segment.  Partially offsetting these charges was a reversal of $7.1 million of 
prior years’ restructuring reserves due to a change in estimated costs to complete these activities. 

In addition to the above restructuring activities, we are still managing a 2001/2000 restructuring plan associated 
with  customer  settlements  for  the  discontinuance  of  overlapping  and  nonstrategic  products  and  other  product 
development projects within our Information Solutions segment.  In 2004 and 2003, we reversed $66.4 million and 
$22.3  million  of  accrued  customer  settlement  reserves  into  operating  profit  due  to  favorable  settlements  and 
negotiations with affected customers.  Total cash and non-cash settlements of $45.3 million and $95.0 million have 
been  incurred  since  the  inception  of  this  restructuring  plan.    As  of  March  31,  2004,  customer  settlement  reserves 
amounted to $6.2 million and we had substantially completed our negotiations with the affected customers.  As a 
result, we do not anticipate additional significant increases to the allowance for customer settlements.  However, as 
settlement  negotiations  with  the  remaining  customers  are  finalized,  additional  adjustments  to  the  reserve  may  be 
necessary.   

Refer to Financial Note 5, “Restructuring and Related Asset Impairments,” to the accompanying consolidated 

financial statements for further discussion regarding our restructuring activities. 

Acquisitions 

We made the following acquisitions: 

− 

− 

− 

− 

In April 2004, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Moore Medical Corp. (“MMC”), of New 
Britain, Connecticut, for $12 per share in cash or approximately $40 million in aggregate.  MMC is an Internet-
enabled,  multi-channel  marketer  and  distributor  of  medical-surgical  and  pharmaceutical  products  to  non-
hospital  provider  settings.    Financial  results  for  MMC  will  be  reflected  as  part  of  our  Medical-Surgical 
Solutions segment in 2005.   

In the second quarter of 2003, we acquired the outstanding stock of A.L.I. for an aggregate cash purchase price 
of $347.0 million.  A.L.I. provides digital medical imaging solutions which are designed to streamline access to 
diagnostic information, automate clinical workflow and eliminate the need for film purchase and storage.  The 
acquisition  of  A.L.I.  complemented  our  Horizon  Clinicals™  offering  by  incorporating  medical  images  into  a 
computerized patient record.  Approximately $328 million of A.L.I.’s purchase price was assigned to goodwill, 
none  of  which  is  deductible  for  tax  purposes.    The  aggregate  purchase  price  was  financed  through  cash  and 
short-term  borrowings.    The  results  of  A.L.I.’s  operations  have  been  included  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements within our Information Solutions segment since its acquisition date.   

In February 2002, our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment acquired, for approximately $62 million in cash, the 
net assets of PMO, Inc., a national specialty pharmacy business (having previously done business as VitaRx), 
that provides mail order pharmaceutical prescription services to managed care patients. 

In  2003,  we  purchased  the  remaining  interest  in  an  investment  of  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  for 
approximately  $32  million,  retained  a  small  portion  of  the  business  and  subsequently  sold  the  balance  for 

 40

 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

approximately  $40  million,  the  proceeds  of  which  consisted  of  an  interest  bearing  ten-year  note  receivable, 
resulting in a nominal loss.  

During  the  last  three  years  we  also  completed  several  smaller  acquisitions  and  investments  within  our 
Pharmaceutical  Solutions  and  Information  Solutions  segments.    Pro  forma  results  of  operations  for  our  business 
acquisitions have not been presented because the effects were not material to the consolidated financial statements 
on  either  an  individual  or  aggregate  basis.    Refer  to  Financial  Note  2,  “Acquisitions,”  to  the  accompanying 
consolidated financial statements for further discussions regarding these activities. 

2005 Outlook 

Information regarding the Company’s 2005 outlook, including business risks and opportunities, is contained in 
our  Form  8-K  dated  April  29,  2004.    This  Form  8-K  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  sections  “Factors 
Affecting Forward-looking Statements” and “Additional Factors That May Affect Future Results” included in this 
Financial Review. 

2005 Operating Segments 

In April 2004, we reconfigured our operating segments to better align product development and selling efforts 
with  the  evolving  needs  of  the  healthcare  market.    As  a  result,  commencing  in  the  first  quarter  of  2005,  we  will 
report the following operating segments:  

The  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  distributes  ethical  and  proprietary  drugs  and  health  and  beauty  care 
products  throughout  North  America.    This  segment  also  manufactures  and  sells  automated  pharmaceutical 
dispensing  systems  for  retail  pharmacies,  medical  management  and  pharmaceutical  solutions  for  biotech  and 
pharmaceutical  manufacturers,  patient  and  payor  services, and  consulting  and  outsourcing  services  to pharmacies.  
We have added the Clinical Auditing and Compliance business, which was previously included in our Information 
Solutions segment, to this segment’s expanded payor services business.  This business sells software to payors for 
auditing professional claims. 

The  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distributes  medical-surgical  supplies  and  equipment  and  provides 
logistics  and  related  services  within  the  United  States.    This  segment  will  now  include  Zee  Medical,  which  was 
formerly reported in our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment.  Zee Medical provides first aid and safety products and 
training services to corporate customers.  The results of our April 2004 acquisition of MMC will also be reported in 
this segment. 

The Provider Technologies segment consists of the former Information Solutions segment plus the McKesson 
Inpatient  Automation  business,  which  was  previously  reported  in  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment,  and  the 
Corporate  Solutions  group,  which  was  previously  managed  by  our  Corporate  group  and  whose  expenses  are 
currently allocated to the applicable business segments.  This segment continues to deliver enterprise-wide patient 
care,  clinical,  financial,  supply  chain,  managed  care  and  strategic  management  software  solutions  as  well  as 
outsourcing  and  other  services  to  healthcare  organizations  throughout  North  America,  the  United  Kingdom  and 
Europe.    McKesson  Inpatient  Automation  provides  automation  and  robotics  for  the  hospital  market,  and  the 
Corporate  Solutions  group  will  continue  to  be  responsible  for  the  sales  coordination  of  complex  provider 
engagements that include strategic product and service solutions from multiple business units. 

 41

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Financial results for our new operating segments are detailed below.   

(Dollars in millions) 
Revenues: 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 

U.S. Healthcare Direct Distribution & Services 
U.S. Healthcare Sales to Customers’ Warehouses 

$ 

Subtotal 

Canada Direct Distribution & Services 

Total Pharmaceutical Solutions 

Medical-Surgical Solutions 

Provider Technologies 

Services  
Software and software systems 
Hardware 

Total Provider Technologies 

Total Revenues  

Segment Operating Profit  

Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Provider Technologies 

Corporate Expenses  
Interest Expense 
Income from Continuing Operations, Before Income Taxes  

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

  $ 

34,802.9    $ 
14,832.9   
49,815.4   
3,423.0   
53,058.8   

30,036.6 
13,184.9 
43,373.3 
2,884.8 
46,106.3 

2,842.9   

2,826.1 

39,412.1 
21,622.1 
61,161.8 
4,458.9 
65,493.1 

2,810.5 

868.3 
218.2 
116.0 
1,202.5 

829.4   
288.7   
101.0   
1,219.1   

758.2 
212.2 
85.3 
1,055.7 
49,988.1 

$ 

69,506.1  $   

57,120.8    $ 

$ 

$ 

980.1 
106.4 
128.2 
(183.1)  
(120.2)  
911.4 

  $ 

  $ 

966.7    $ 

79.4   
101.6   
(168.2)  
(128.1)  
851.4    $ 

801.0 
78.0 
9.7 
(160.7) 
(125.9) 
602.1 

Segment Operating Profit Margin 

Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Provider Technologies 

1.50% 
3.79   
10.66   

1.82% 
2.79   
8.33   

1.74%
2.76 
0.92 

Additional information regarding our new operating segments can also be found in our Form 8-Ks dated April 

29 and 30, 2004. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if the estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters 
that were uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made and if different estimates that we reasonably could 
have used in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period 
to  period,  would  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial  condition  or  results  from  operations.    Below  are  the 
estimates  that  we  believe  are  critical  to  the  understanding  of  our  operating  results  and  financial  condition.    Other 
accounting  policies  are  described  in  Financial  Note  1,  “Significant  Accounting  Policies,”  to  our  consolidated 
financial  statements.    Because  of  the  uncertainty  inherent  in  such  estimates,  actual  results  may  differ  from  these 
estimates. 

Valuation  of  Receivables:  We  provide  short-term  credit  and  other  customer  financing  arrangements  to 
customers who purchase our products and services.  Other customer financing relates to guarantees provided to our 
customers, or their creditors, regarding the repurchase of inventories, and lease and credit financing.  We estimate 
the receivables for which we do not expect full collection based on historical collection rates and specific knowledge 
regarding  the  current  creditworthiness  of  our  customers.    An  allowance  is  recorded  in  our  consolidated  financial 
statements for these amounts.   

If  the  frequency  and  severity  of  customer  defaults  due  to  our  customers’  financial  condition  or  general 
economic  conditions  change,  our  allowance  for  uncollectible  accounts  may  require  adjustment.    As  a  result,  we 

 42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

continuously  monitor  outstanding  receivables  and  other  customer  financing  and  adjust  allowances  for  accounts 
where collection may be in doubt.  At March 31, 2004, trade and notes receivables were $5,182.2 million, and other 
customer financing was $227.0 million, both prior to allowances of $145.3 million.   

In addition, at March 31, 2004, we had $62.7 million of notes receivable from certain of our current and former 
officers  and  senior  managers  related  to  purchases  of  common  stock  under  our  various  employee  stock  purchase 
plans.  These notes were issued for amounts equal to the market value of the stock on the date of the purchase, are 
full recourse to the borrower and were due at various dates through February 2004.  As of March 31, 2004, the value 
of the underlying stock collateral was $30.4  million.  We evaluate the collectability of these notes on an ongoing 
basis and as a result, we recorded a $21.0 million charge for notes due from former employees whose uncollected 
balances  relate  to  the  purchase  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  primarily  in  February  1999.    There  can  be  no 
assurance  that  we  will  recover  the  full  amounts  due  under  any  of  the  notes  and  we  continue  to  assess  their 
collectability.   

Customer  Settlement  Reserves:  In  2001  and  2000,  we  announced  plans  to  discontinue  overlapping  and 
nonstrategic  products  or  product  development  projects  and  to  redesign  or  stabilize  several  go-forward  projects 
within our Information Solutions segment.  As a result of this decision, we recorded a total of $235.2 million for 
estimated customer settlements.  These estimates were developed using a customer and product specific approach, 
based on numerous interactions with our customers.   

The  determination  and  quantification  of  our  customer  settlement  liabilities  along  with  the  assessment  of  an 
appropriate  reserve  for  uncollectible  accounts  required  significant  judgment.    Factors  that  reflected  our  estimated 
accrued settlement amounts include, but are not limited to, our success in amending contract terms to provide new or 
different  products  and  services  or  negotiating  settlements  with  affected  customers,  and  our  ability  to  complete 
projects  where  re-design  or  stabilization  was  required.    In  2004  and  2003,  due  to  favorable  settlements  and 
negotiations  with  affected  customers,  we  reversed  $66.4  million  and  $22.3  million  of  the  accrued  customer 
settlement reserve as a credit to operating expenses.  Total cash and non-cash settlements of $45.3 million and $95.0 
million have been incurred since the inception of the restructuring plan.  As of March 31, 2004, customer settlement 
allowances  amounted  to  $6.2  million.    By  the  end  of  the  fourth  quarter  of  2004,  we  substantially  completed  our 
negotiations  with  the  affected  customers.    As  a  result,  we  do  not  anticipate  additional  significant  increases  to  the 
allowance  for  customer  settlements.    However,  as  settlement  negotiations  with  the  remaining  customers  are 
finalized, additional adjustments to the reserve may be necessary.   

Valuation  of  Inventories:  We  state  inventories  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market.    Inventories  for  our 
Pharmaceutical Solutions and Medical-Surgical Solutions segments consist of merchandise held for resale.  For our 
Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment,  the  majority  of  the  cost  of  domestic  inventories  was  determined  on  the  LIFO 
method and international inventories are stated using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  Cost of inventories for 
our  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  was  primarily  determined  on  the  FIFO  method.    Information  Solutions 
segment’s inventories consist of computer hardware with cost determined either by the specific identification or the 
FIFO  method.    Total  inventories  before  the  LIFO  cost  adjustment,  which  approximates  replacement  cost,  were 
$6,981.5  million  and  $6,241.0  million  at  March  31,  2004  and  2003.    In  determining  whether  inventory  valuation 
issues exist, we consider various factors including estimated quantities of slow-moving inventory by reviewing on-
hand  quantities,  outstanding  purchase  obligations  and  forecasted  sales.    Shifts  in  market  trends  and  conditions, 
changes in customer preferences due to the introduction of generic drugs or new pharmaceutical products, or the loss 
of one or more significant customers are factors that could affect the value of our inventories.   

Valuation of Goodwill: We have significant goodwill assets as a result of acquiring businesses.  We account for 
goodwill  under  SFAS  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible  Assets,”  which  requires  us  to  maintain  goodwill 
assets  on  our  books  unless  the  assets  are  deemed  to  be  impaired.    We  perform  an  impairment  test  on  goodwill 
balances annually or when indicators of impairment exist.  Such impairment tests require that we first compare the 
carrying value of net assets to the estimated fair value of net assets for the operations in which goodwill is assigned.  
If carrying value exceeds fair value, a second step would be performed to calculate the amount of impairment.  Fair 
values can be determined using income, market or cost approaches.   

We predominately use a discounted cash flow model derived from internal budgets in assessing fair values for 
our goodwill impairment testing.  Factors that could change the result of our goodwill impairment test include, but 
are  not  limited  to,  different  assumptions  used  to  forecast  future  revenues,  expenses,  capital  expenditures  and 
working capital requirements used in our cash flow models.  In addition, selection of a risk-adjusted discount rate on 

 43

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

the estimated undiscounted cash flows is susceptible to future changes in market conditions, and when unfavorable, 
can  adversely  affect  our  original  estimates  of  fair  values.    At  March  31,  2004,  we  concluded  that  there  was  no 
impairment in our goodwill.   

Contract Accounting: We use the percentage of completion method of accounting to recognize certain revenues 
and  costs,  primarily  for  long-term  software  contracts  within  our  Information  Solutions  segment.    This  method  of 
accounting requires us to estimate the timing and amounts of total revenue to be earned and total costs to be incurred 
over  the  life  of  a  contract.    Revenue  estimates  are  derived  primarily  from  negotiated  contract  prices  modified  by 
assumptions  regarding  change  orders  and  assumptions  regarding  penalty  provisions  associated  with  technical 
performance.  Cost estimates are based primarily on the expected amount of resources required to complete project 
requirements.  Based on the relationship of total estimated labor costs incurred to date to total estimated labor costs 
to  be  incurred,  a  gross  margin  percentage  is  developed.    The  amount  reported  as  gross  margin  is  determined  by 
applying the estimated gross margin percentage to the amount of revenue recognized each period.   

The  estimated  revenue  to  be  earned  and  costs  to  complete  a  project  can  change  significantly  throughout  the 
period of a contract.  Factors that could change estimates include, but are not limited to, the ability to successfully 
complete milestones, the timing of milestones, and modifications in the amount of resources or other costs required 
to complete the project.  Changes in estimates to complete, and revisions in overall profit estimates on percentage of 
completion contracts, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.  We accrue for contract losses if 
and when the current estimate of total contract costs exceeds total contract revenue.  Such a provision is subject to 
change as additional information is obtained and as contracts progress towards completion.  

As previously discussed, we have made material adjustments to our gross profit due to changes in estimates in 
accounting  for  certain  contracts.    In  addition,  in  2002,  we  entered  into  a  $500  million,  ten  year  contract  with  the 
National Health Services Information Authority (”NHS”), an organization of the British government charged with 
the responsibility of delivering healthcare in England and Wales.  The contract engages the Company to develop, 
implement and operate a human resources and payroll system at more than 600 NHS locations.  To date, there have 
been delays to this contract which have caused increased costs and a decrease in the amount of time in which we can 
earn revenues.  These delays have adversely impacted the contract's projected profitability and no material revenue 
has  yet  been  recognized  on  this  contract.    As  of  March  31,  2004,  our  consolidated  balance  sheet  includes  an 
investment of approximately $76 million in net assets, consisting of prepaid expenses, software and capital assets, 
net  of  cash  received,  related  to  this  contract.    While  we  believe  it  is  likely  that  we  can  deliver  and  operate  an 
acceptable system and recover our investment in this contract, we are currently negotiating with the NHS to amend 
certain  key  terms  and  conditions  in  the  contract,  and  there  is  no  certainty  we  will  agree  on  an  updated 
implementation  plan.    We  expect  this  negotiation  to  be  completed  in  the  second  half  of  calendar  year  2004.  
However, the timing and the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain and failure to reach agreement on an updated 
implementation  plan  and  amend  certain  key  contract  terms  and  conditions,  and/or  further  delays  in  the 
implementation  may  result  in  losses  that  could  be  material.    Even  if  we  agree  on  amended  contract  terms  and 
conditions  and  an  updated  implementation  plan,  it  is  possible  that  the  terms  of  that  agreement  may  result  in  the 
impairment of our net assets related to the contract as well as substantial penalties and charges, which could have a 
material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Stock Options: We account for employee stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles 
Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”  Under APB No. 25, compensation 
expense is recorded based on a stock option’s intrinsic value, which is the difference between the market value of a 
company’s stock and the exercise price at the date of grant.  As we generally grant stock options to employees at 
market value at the date of grant, compensation expense as a result of option grants has been nominal. 

An alternative to APB No. 25 in accounting for stock options is Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
(“SFAS”)  No.  123,  “Stock-Based  Compensation.”    SFAS  No.  123  utilizes  the  fair  value  method  in  valuing  stock 
options and requires expensing of such values.  Fair value is determined based on an option pricing model with the 
Black-Scholes model  currently  being  the  most  widely  available  and  used  model.    Such  models  require  the  use  of 
several  estimates  including  expected  life  of  the  option,  volatility  of  our  common  stock,  dividend  yields  (which 
includes  estimates  of    future  dividends  and  market  values  of  our  common  stock),  risk-free  interest  rates  and 
employee turnover.   

In  March  2004,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  an  exposure  draft,  “Equity  Based 
Compensation,”  which  if  approved,  would  mandate  the  expensing  of  stock  options  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  of 

 44

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

SFAS No. 123.  This potential accounting standard would be effective for our 2006 fiscal year and would include 
compensation expense for all awards that vest in 2006. 

Had  we  accounted  for  employee  stock  options  in  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  123  for  all  awards  that  vested 
during the year (as calculated under the Black-Scholes model), net income and diluted earnings per share for 2004 
would have been: 

(In millions, except per share amounts) 
As reported 
Pro forma 

  $ 

  Net Income 
646.5 
442.0 

  $ 

Diluted 
Earnings  
per Share 
2.19 
1.50 

Included in the above pro forma amounts is approximately $117 million of expense (or $0.39 per diluted share) 
associated  with  the  acceleration  of  substantially  all  unvested  stock  options  outstanding  whose  exercise  price  was 
equal to or greater than $28.20, or substantially all of the total unvested stock options outstanding.  

Securities Litigation:  As discussed in Financial Note 18, “Other Commitments and Contingent Liabilities,” to 
the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements,  we  are  involved  in  a  number  of  lawsuits  regarding  the 
restatement of our 1999 historical financial statements.  Our directors and officers’ liability insurance policies cover 
some of our restatement litigation costs up to specified aggregate limits.  For costs not covered under our insurance 
policies, we accrue for litigation defense and settlement costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred 
and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  We expensed $17.7 million, $3.9 million and $2.2 million in 2004, 
2003 and 2002, in connection with these matters.  Due to an acceleration of activities related to the litigation, we 
anticipate this expense to increase by approximately $20 million in 2005. 

We do not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of these proceedings, or to 
estimate the amount of, or potential range of, loss with respect to these proceedings, and therefore, no accrual for 
legal settlement is recorded in our consolidated financial statements.  In addition, the timing of the final resolution of 
these legal proceedings is uncertain.  The range of possible resolutions of these proceedings could include judgments 
against us or settlements that could require substantial payments by us that could cause us to incur material losses 
which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.   

Income  Taxes:    We  are  subject  to  income  taxes  in  the  U.S.  and  numerous  foreign  jurisdictions.    Significant 
judgment  is  required  in  determining  the  worldwide  provision  for  income  taxes.    During  the  ordinary  course  of 
business,  there  are  many  transactions  and  calculations  for  which  the  ultimate  tax  determination  is  uncertain.    We 
recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due.  To 
the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such 
differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determination is made.   

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

Net cash flow from operating activities was $563.4 million in 2004, compared with $710.3 million in 2003 and 
$336.9  million  in  2002.    Net  cash  flow  from  operating  activities  improved  over  the  last  two  years  primarily 
reflecting greater earnings, offset in part by net increases in working capital required to support our revenue growth.  
In addition, 2002 net cash flow from operations reflects certain purchasing opportunities.  Partially offsetting these 
increases in working capital were improvements made in working capital management. 

Net cash used by investing activities was $267.9 million in 2004, compared with $600.9 million in 2003 and 
$404.3  million  in  2002.    Net  cash  flow  used  in  investing  activities  was  greater  in  2003  primarily  due  to  $347.0 
million paid for the acquisition of A.L.I. and an increase in software expenditures.  These increases were partially 
offset by $117.9 million of proceeds from the sale of notes receivable.  Expenditures for capitalized software reflect 
our investment in software developed for internal use and for resale.   

Financing activities utilized cash of $109.5 million and $145.2 million in 2004 and 2003 and provided cash of 
$191.7 million in 2002.  Financing activities for 2004 include $156.8 million of stock repurchases and the receipt of 
$32.8 million pertaining to the collection of employee loans.  Fiscal 2003 financing activities include the repayment 
of $125.0 million of term debt that had matured and 2002 financing activities reflect our public offering of $400.0 

 45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

million of 7.75% unsecured notes, due in 2012.  These notes are redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our 
option.  Net proceeds from the issuance of these notes were used to repay $175.0 million of term debt and for other 
general corporate purposes.   

In 2004, 2003 and 2002, we repurchased 3.9 million, 0.9 million and 1.3 million shares of our common stock 
for $115.1 million, $25.0 million and $44.2 million.  In 2004, we effectively completed a $250.0 million repurchase 
program  initiated  in  2001  which  resulted  in  the  repurchase  of  a  total  of  8.3  million  shares  of  our  common  stock.  
Also  in  2004,  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  approved  a  new  program  to  repurchase  up  to  $250.0  million  of 
additional  common  stock  of  the  Company.    Under  this  new  program,  we  have  repurchased  1.4  million  shares  for 
$41.5 million.  Stock repurchases may be made in open or private transactions. 

Selected Measures of Liquidity and Capital Resources: 

(Dollars in millions) 
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 
Working capital  
Debt net of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 
Debt to capital ratio (1) 
Net debt to net capital employed (2) 
Return on stockholders’ equity (3) 

$

2004 

717.8 
3,548.1 
766.8 

$

March 31, 
2003 

533.5 
3,278.4 
973.6 

22.3% 
12.9% 
13.4% 

25.0% 
17.7% 
13.2% 

$ 

2002 

562.9 
3,112.0 
1,073.3 

29.4%
21.4%
11.3%

(1)  Ratio is computed as total debt divided by total debt and stockholders’ equity. 
(2)  Ratio is computed as total debt, net of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (“net debt”), divided by net debt and 

stockholders’ equity (“net capital employed”). 

(3)  Ratio is computed as net income, divided by a five-quarter average of stockholders’ equity. 

Working capital primarily includes receivables and inventories, net of drafts and accounts payable and deferred 
revenue.    Our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  requires  a  substantial  investment  in  working  capital  that  is 
susceptible  to  large  variations  during  the  year  as  a  result  of  inventory  purchase  patterns  and  seasonal  demands.  
Inventory purchase activity is a function of sales activity, new customer build-up requirements and the desired level 
of investment inventory.  Consolidated working capital has increased over the past two years primarily as a result of 
our higher sales volume.   

We reduced our ratio of net debt to net capital employed and increased our return on equity over the past two 
years.  Improvements reflect a growth in our operating profit in excess of the growth in working capital and other 
investments needed to fund the increase in revenue.   

Financial Obligations and Commitments: 

The table below presents our significant financial obligations and commitments at March 31, 2004:   

(In millions) 
On balance sheet 
Long-term debt 
Capital lease obligations 
Off balance sheet 
Purchase obligations 
Operating leases 
Customer guarantees 
Other 

Total 

$ 

Total 

  Within 1 

  Over 1 to 3 

  Over 3 to 5 

After 5 

Years 

$ 

1,484.6    $ 
2.8   

274.8    $ 
1.5   

35.9    $ 

1.2   

165.4    $ 
0.1   

1,008.5 

- 

2,527.9   
332.2   
227.0   
12.4   
4,586.9    $ 

2,443.9   
84.7   
74.7   
4.0   
2,883.6    $ 

35.5   
132.6   
27.9   
6.8   
239.9    $ 

11.2   
55.5   
3.5   
- 

235.7    $ 

37.3 
59.4 
120.9 
1.6 
1,227.7 

We define a purchase obligation as an arrangement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally 
binding  on  the  Company.    These  obligations  primarily  relate  to  inventory  purchases,  capital  commitments  and 
service agreements.  Purchase obligations also include the purchase price for MMC. 

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McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

We have agreements with certain of our customers’ financial institutions (primarily for our Canadian business) 
under which we have guaranteed the repurchase of inventory at a discount in the event these customers are unable to 
meet  certain  obligations  to  those  financial  institutions.    Among  other  limitations,  these  inventories  must  be  in 
resalable condition.  We have also guaranteed loans, credit facilities and the payment of leases for some customers; 
and we are a secured lender for substantially all of these guarantees.  Customer guarantees range from one to ten 
years  and  were  primarily  provided  to  facilitate  financing  for  certain  strategic  customers.    At  March  31,  2004,  the 
maximum  amounts  of  inventory  repurchase  guarantees  and  other  customer  guarantees  were  $169.1  million  and 
$57.9 million.  On April 21, 2004, we converted a $40.0 million credit facility guarantee in favor of a customer to a 
note receivable due from this customer.  This secured note bears interest and is repayable in 2007.  In conjunction 
with this modification, an inventory repurchase guarantee in favor of this customer for approximately $12 million 
has been terminated.  We consider it unlikely that we would make significant payments under these guarantees, and 
accordingly, amounts accrued for these guarantees were nominal. 

In addition, our banks and insurance companies have issued $65.4 million of standby letters of credit and surety 
bonds on our behalf in order to meet the security requirements for statutory licenses and permits, court and fiduciary 
obligations, and our workers’ compensation and automotive liability programs.   

Credit Resources: 

We fund our working capital requirements primarily with cash, short-term borrowings and our receivables sale 
facility.  In September 2003, we renegotiated our 364-day revolving credit arrangement.  With the exception that the 
facility was increased by $100.0 million to $650.0 million, the terms of the new agreement are substantially similar 
to those previously in place.  This renewed facility expires in September 2004.  We have a three-year $550.0 million 
revolving  credit  facility  that  expires  in  September  2005.    These  facilities  are  primarily  intended  to  support  our 
commercial paper borrowings.  We also have a $1.1 billion revolving receivables sale facility, which expires in June 
2004.    We  anticipate  renewing  our  existing  capacity  under  these  facilities  prior  to  their  expirations.    No  amounts 
were outstanding under any of these facilities at March 31, 2004.   

Our  senior  debt  credit  ratings  from  S&P,  Fitch,  and  Moody’s  are  currently  BBB,  BBB  and  Baa2,  and  our 
commercial paper ratings are currently A-2, F-2, and P-2.  Our ratings are stable, except for the Moody’s which is 
on a negative credit outlook.  Our various borrowing facilities and certain long-term debt instruments are subject to 
covenants.  Our principal debt covenant is our debt to capital ratio, which cannot exceed 56.5%.  If we exceed this 
ratio,  repayment  of  debt  outstanding  under  the  revolving  credit  facility  and  $335.0  million  of  term  debt  could  be 
accelerated.    At  March  31,  2004,  this  ratio  was  22.3%  and  we  were  in  compliance  with  all  other  covenants.    A 
reduction in our credit ratings or the lack of compliance with our covenants could result in a negative impact on our 
ability to finance our operations through our credit facilities, as well as the issuance of additional debt at the interest 
rates then currently available. 

Funds necessary for future debt maturities and our other cash requirements are expected to be met by existing 

cash balances, cash flows from operations, existing credit sources and other capital market transactions. 

MARKET RISKS  

Our  long-term  debt  bears  interest  predominately  at  fixed  rates,  whereas  our  short-term  borrowings  are  at 
variable  interest  rates.    If  the  underlying  weighted  average  interest  rate  on  our  variable  rate  debt  were  to  have 
changed by 50 basis points in 2004, interest expense would not have been materially different from that reported.   

As  of  March  31,  2004,  the  aggregate  fair  value  of  our  long-term  debt  was  $1,701.8  million.    Fair  value  was 
estimated  on  the  basis  of  quoted  market  prices,  although  trading  in  these  debt  securities  is  limited  and  may  not 
reflect fair value.  Fair value is subject to fluctuations based on our performance, our credit ratings, changes in the 
value of our stock and changes in interest rates for debt securities with similar terms.  

We  derive  revenues  from  Canada,  the  United  Kingdom,  Ireland,  France,  the  Netherlands,  Australia,  New 
Zealand and Puerto Rico.  We also have a 22% equity interest in a pharmaceutical distributor in Mexico.  We are 
subject  to  foreign  currency  exchange  risk  on  cash  flows  related  to  sales,  expenses,  financing  and  investment 
transactions.  If exchange rates on such currencies were to fluctuate 10%, we believe that our results from operations 
and cash flows could be materially affected.  Aggregate foreign exchange translation gains and losses included in 

 47

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

operations, comprehensive income and stockholders’ equity are discussed in Financial Note 1 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements, “Significant Accounting Policies.” 

RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS  

Information regarding our related party balances and transactions is included in “Critical Accounting Policies” 
appearing within this Financial Review and Financial Note 20, “Related Party Balances and Transactions,” to the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 

There  are  a  number  of  new  accounting  pronouncements  that  may  impact  our  financial  results.    These  new 
pronouncements  are  described  in  Financial  Note  1,  “Significant  Accounting  Policies,”  to  the  accompanying 
consolidated financial statements. 

FACTORS AFFECTING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

In  addition  to  historical  information,  management’s  discussion  and  analysis  includes  certain  forward-looking 
statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and 
section  21E  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended  (the  “Exchange  Act”).    Some  of  the  forward-
looking statements can be identified by use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” 
“may,”  “will,”  “should,”  “seeks,”  “approximately,”  “intends,”  “plans,”  or  “estimates,”  or  the  negative  of  these 
words, or other comparable terminology.  The discussion of financial trends, strategy, plans or intentions may also 
include  forward-looking  statements.    Forward-looking  statements  involve  risks  and  uncertainties  that  could  cause 
actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  projected.    Although  it  is  not  possible  to  predict  or  identify  all  such 
risks and uncertainties, they may include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under “Additional Factors That 
May Affect Future Results.”  The reader should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks 
and uncertainties.  

These  and  other  risks  and  uncertainties  are  described  herein  or  in  our  other  public  documents.    Readers  are 
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  
We  undertake  no  obligation  to  publicly  release  the  result  of  any  revisions  to  these  forward-looking  statements  to 
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 

ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS  

The following additional factors may affect our future results:   

Adverse resolution of pending litigation regarding the restatement of our historical financial statements may 
cause us to incur material losses. 

Subsequent  to  our  April  28,  1999  restatement  of  financial  results  announcement,  and  as  of  March  31,  2004, 
ninety-one  lawsuits  have  been  filed  against  us,  certain  of  our  current  or  former  officers  or  directors,  or  those  of 
HBOC, and other defendants.  In addition, the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California 
and the San Francisco District Office of the SEC also have ongoing investigations in connection with the matters 
relating to the restatement of previously reported amounts.   

We do not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of these proceedings, or to 
estimate the amount of, or potential range of, loss with respect to these proceedings.  In addition, the timing of the 
final  resolution  of  these  proceedings  is  uncertain.    The  range  of  possible  resolutions  of  these  proceedings  could 
include judgments against us or settlements that could require substantial payments by us, which could cause us to 
incur material losses.   

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McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Changes in the United States healthcare environment could have a material negative impact on our revenues 
and net income.  

Our products and services are primarily intended to function within the structure of the healthcare financing and 
reimbursement  system  currently  being  used  in  the  United  States.    In  recent  years,  the  healthcare  industry  has 
changed  significantly  in  an  effort  to  reduce  costs.    These  changes  include  increased  use  of  managed  care,  cuts  in 
Medicare  and  Medicaid  reimbursement  levels,  consolidation  of  pharmaceutical  and  medical-surgical  supply 
distributors, and the development of large, sophisticated purchasing groups. 

We  expect  the  healthcare  industry  to  continue  to  change  significantly  in  the  future.    Some  of  these  changes, 
such  as  adverse  changes  in  government  funding  of  healthcare  services,  legislation  or  regulations  governing  the 
privacy  of  patient  information,  or  the  delivery  or  pricing  of  pharmaceuticals  and  healthcare  services  or  mandated 
benefits, may cause healthcare industry participants to greatly reduce the amount of our products and services they 
purchase or the price they are willing to pay for our products and services. 

Changes  in  pharmaceutical  and  medical-surgical  manufacturers'  pricing,  selling,  inventory,  distribution  or 
supply policies or practices, or changes in our customer  mix could also significantly reduce our revenues and net 
income.  Due to the diverse range of healthcare supply management and healthcare information technology products 
and services that we offer, such changes may adversely impact us, while not affecting some of our competitors who 
offer a narrower range of products and services.    

There have been increasing efforts by pharmaceutical manufacturers to control or limit the product availability 
in the supply channels, which impacts the ways in which distributors are being compensated by manufacturers.  For 
instance, certain types of vendor product incentives and sources of supply, such as certain inventory purchases on 
the  secondary  market,  are  not  available  at  historical  levels  to  the  major  distributors  which  have  the  impact  of 
reducing  gross  margins.    We  have  been  actively  working  with  manufacturers  through  restructured  distribution 
agreements  to  ensure  that  we  are  appropriately  compensated  for  the  services  we  provide.    However,  if  we  fail  to 
negotiate  favorable  terms,  such  efforts  by  the  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  may  have  an  adverse  impact  on  our 
profitability.   

Healthcare and public policy trends indicate that the number of generic drugs will increase over the next few 
years  as  a  result  of  the  expiration  of  certain  drug  patents.    In  recent  years,  our  revenues  and  gross  margins  have 
increased from our generic drug offering programs.  An increase or a decrease in the availability of these generic 
drugs could have a material impact on our net income. 

There  has  been  increasing  efforts  by  various  levels  of  government  including  state  boards  and  comparable 
agencies to regulate the pharmaceutical distribution system in order to prevent the introduction of counterfeit drugs, 
adulterated,  and/or  mislabeled  drugs  into  the  pharmaceutical  distribution  system.    Certain  states,  such  as  Florida, 
have  already  adopted  laws  and  regulations  that  are  intended  to  protect  the  integrity  of  the  pharmaceutical 
distribution system while other government agencies are currently evaluating their recommendations.  These laws 
and  regulations  could  increase  the  overall  regulatory  burden  and  costs  associated  with  our  pharmaceutical 
distribution business, and may negatively impact our operating results.  

We  are  subject  to  extensive  and  frequently  changing  local,  state  and  federal  laws  and  regulations  relating  to 
healthcare fraud.  The federal government continues to strengthen its position and scrutiny over practices involving 
healthcare  fraud  affecting  the  Medicare,  Medicaid  and  other  government  healthcare  programs.    Furthermore,  our 
relationships  with  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  and  healthcare  providers  subject  our  business  to  laws  and 
regulations  on  fraud  and  abuse.    Many  of  the  regulations  applicable  to  us,  including  those  relating  to  marketing 
incentives  offered  by  pharmaceutical  or  medical-surgical  suppliers,  are  vague  or  indefinite  and  have  not  been 
interpreted by the courts.  They may be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a 
manner  that  could  require  us  to  make  changes  in  our  operations.    If  we  fail  to  comply  with  applicable  laws  and 
regulations, we could suffer civil and criminal penalties, including the loss of licenses or our ability to participate in 
Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state healthcare programs. 

 49

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

Substantial  defaults  in  payment  or  a  material  reduction  in  purchases  of  our  products  by  large  customers 
could have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations and liquidity.  

In recent years, a significant portion of our revenue growth has been with a limited number of large customers.  
During the year ended March 31, 2004, sales to our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 50% of our 
total  consolidated  revenues  (including  sales  to  customers’  warehouses).    Sales  to  our  largest  customer,  Rite  Aid 
Corporation, represented approximately 11% of our 2004 total consolidated revenues.  At March 31, 2004, accounts 
receivable  from  our  ten  largest  customers  and  Rite  Aid  Corporation  were  approximately  50%  and  8%  of  total 
accounts  receivable.    As  a  result,  our  sales  and  credit  concentration  is  significant.    Any  defaults  in  payment  or  a 
material reduction in purchases from this or any other large customer could have a significant negative impact on 
our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. 

Our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  and  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segments  are  dependent  upon  sophisticated 
information  systems.    The  implementation  delay,  malfunction  or  failure  of  these  systems  for  any  extended 
period of time could adversely affect our business. 

We rely on sophisticated information systems in our business to obtain, rapidly process, analyze and  manage 
data to: facilitate the purchase and distribution of thousands of inventory items from numerous distribution centers; 
receive,  process  and  ship  orders  on  a  timely  basis;  manage  the  accurate  billing  and  collections  for  thousands  of 
customers and process payments to suppliers.  Our business and results of operations may be materially adversely 
affected if these systems are interrupted, damaged by unforeseen events, or fail for any extended period of time. 

We could become subject to liability claims that are not adequately covered by our insurance, and may have 
to pay damages and other expenses which could have a material adverse effect on us. 

Our  business  exposes  us  to  risks  that  are  inherent  in  the  distribution  and  dispensing  of  pharmaceuticals,  the 
provision  of  ancillary  services  (such  as  our  pharmacy  management  business)  and  the  conduct  of  our  medical 
management businesses (which include disease management programs and our nurse triage services.)  A successful 
product or professional  liability  claim  not  fully  covered by  our  insurance  or  any  applicable  contractual  indemnity 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

The  ability  of  our  Information  Solutions  business  to  attract  and  retain  customers  due  to  challenges  in 
software  product  integration  and  technological  advances  may  significantly  reduce  our  revenues  or  increase 
our expenses.  

Our  Information  Solutions  business  delivers  enterprise-wide  patient  care,  clinical,  financial,  managed  care, 
payor  and  strategic  management  software  solutions,  as  well  as  networking  technologies,  electronic  commerce, 
outsourcing  and  other  services  to  healthcare  organizations  throughout  the  United  States  and  certain  foreign 
countries.  Challenges in integrating Information Solutions software products could impair our ability to attract and 
retain customers and may reduce our revenues or increase our expenses. 

Future  advances  in  the  healthcare  information  systems  industry  could  lead  to  new  technologies,  products  or 
services  that  are  competitive  with  the  products  and  services  offered by  our  Information  Solutions  business.   Such 
technological advances could also lower the cost of such products and services or otherwise result in competitive 
pricing  pressure.    The  success  of  our  Information  Solutions  business  will  depend,  in  part,  on  its  ability  to  be 
responsive to technological developments, pricing pressures and changing business models.  To remain competitive 
in the evolving healthcare information systems marketplace, our Information Solutions business must develop new 
products on a timely basis.  The failure to develop competitive products and to introduce new products on a timely 
basis  could  curtail  the  ability  of  our  Information  Solutions  business  to  attract  and  retain  customers  and  thereby 
significantly reduce our net income. 

The  loss  of  third  party  licenses  utilized  by  our  Information  Solutions  segment  may  adversely  impact  our 
operating results.  

We license the rights to use certain technologies from third-party vendors to incorporate in or complement our 
Information Solutions segment products and solutions.  These licenses are generally nonexclusive, must be renewed 
periodically by mutual consent, and may be terminated if we breach the terms of the license.  As a result, we may 
have to discontinue, delay or reduce product shipments until we obtain equivalent technology, which could hurt our 

 50

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

business.  Our competitors may obtain the right to use any of the technology covered by these licenses and use the 
technology to compete directly with us.  In addition, if our vendors choose to discontinue support of the licensed 
technology in the future, we may not be able to modify or adapt our own products. 

Proprietary technology protections may not be adequate and proprietary rights may infringe on the rights of 
third parties. 

We  rely  on  a  combination  of  trade  secret,  patent,  copyright  and  trademark  laws,  nondisclosure  and  other 
contractual  provisions  and  technical  measures  to  protect  our  proprietary  rights  to  our  products.    There  can  be  no 
assurance that these protections will be adequate or that our competitors will not independently develop technologies 
that  are  substantially  equivalent  or  superior  to  our  technology.    Although  we  believe  that  our  products  and  other 
proprietary  rights  do not  infringe upon  the proprietary  rights  of  third parties,  from  time  to  time  third  parties  have 
asserted infringement claims against us and there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement 
claims  against  us  in  the  future.    If  we  were  found  to  be  infringing  on  other’s  rights,  we  may  be  required  to  pay 
substantial  damage  awards  and  forced  to  develop  non-infringing  technology,  obtain  a  license  or  cease  selling  the 
products that contain the infringing property.  Additionally, we may find it necessary to initiate litigation to protect 
our trade secrets, to enforce our patent, copyright and trademark rights, and to determine the scope and validity of 
the  proprietary  rights  of  others.    These  types  of  litigation  can  be  costly  and  time  consuming.    These  litigation 
expenses,  damage  payments,  or  cessation  of  use  of  infringing  technology  and  development  of  respective 
replacement technology could be significant and result in material losses to us. 

Potential  product  liability  claims  arising  from  healthcare  information  technology  business  products  could 
result in material losses to us. 

We provide products that assist clinical decision-making and relate to patient  medical  histories and treatment 
plans.    If  these  products  fail  to  provide  accurate  and  timely  information,  customers  could  assert  liability  claims 
against us.  Litigation with respect to liability claims, regardless of the outcome, could result in substantial cost to 
us, divert management's attention from operations and decrease market acceptance of our products.  We attempt to 
limit,  by  contract,  our  liability  for  damages  from  negligence,  errors  or  mistakes.    Despite  this  precaution,  the 
limitations of liability set forth in the contracts may not be enforceable or may not otherwise protect us from liability 
for  damages.    We  maintain  general  liability  insurance  coverage,  including  coverage  for  errors  and  omissions.  
However, this coverage may not continue to be available on acceptable terms or may not be available in sufficient 
amounts to cover one or more large claims against us.  In addition, the insurer might disclaim coverage as to any 
future claim. 

System errors and warranties in Information Solutions segment’s products could cause unforeseen liabilities. 

Our  Information  Solutions  segment’s  software  and  software  systems  (“systems”)  are  very  complex.    As  with 
complex  systems  offered  by  others,  our  systems  may  contain  errors,  especially  when  first  introduced.    Our 
Information  Solutions  business  systems  are  intended  to  provide  information  for  healthcare  providers  in  providing 
patient care.  Therefore, users of our systems have a greater sensitivity to errors than the general market for software 
products.  Failure of a client's system to perform in accordance with our documentation could constitute a breach of 
warranty  and  could  require  us  to  incur  additional  expense  in  order  to  make  the  system  comply  with  the 
documentation.    If  such  failure  is  not  remedied  in  a  timely  manner,  it  could  constitute  a  material  breach  under  a 
contract, allowing the client to cancel the contract, obtain refunds of amounts previously paid, or assert claims for 
significant damages. 

Potential regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, of Information Solutions products 
as  medical  devices  could  impose  increased  costs,  delay  the  introduction  of  new  products  and  negatively 
impact our business. 

The  FDA  is  likely  to  become  increasingly  active  in  regulating  computer  software  intended  for  use  in  the 
healthcare  industry.    The  FDA  has  increasingly  focused  on  the  regulation  of  computer  products  and  computer-
assisted  products  as  medical  devices  under  the  Federal  Food,  Drug  and  Cosmetic  Act.    If  the  FDA  chooses  to 
regulate any of our products as medical devices, it can impose extensive requirements upon us.  If we fail to comply 
with the applicable requirements, the FDA could respond by imposing fines, injunctions or civil penalties, requiring 
recalls  or  product  corrections,  suspending  production,  refusing  to  grant  pre-market  clearance  of  products, 
withdrawing  clearances  and  initiating  criminal  prosecution.    Any  final  FDA  policy  governing  computer  products, 

 51

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Continued) 

once issued, may increase the cost and time to market new or existing products or may prevent us from marketing 
our products. 

New  and  potential  federal  regulations  relating  to  patient  confidentiality  and  format  and  data  content 
standards could depress the demand for our Information Solutions products and impose significant product 
redesign costs and unforeseen liabilities on us. 

State and federal laws regulate the confidentiality of patient records and the circumstances under which those 
records  may  be  released.    These  regulations  govern  both  the  disclosure  and  use  of  confidential  patient  medical 
record  information  and  will  require  the  users  of  such  information  to  implement  specified  security  measures.  
Regulations  currently  in  place  governing  electronic  health  data  transmissions  continue  to  evolve  and  are  often 
unclear and difficult to apply. 

The  Health  Insurance  Portability  and  Accountability  Act  of  1996,  or  HIPAA,  requires  national  standards  for 
some types of electronic health information transactions and the data elements used in those transactions, security 
standards  to  ensure  the  integrity  and  confidentiality  of  health  information  and  standards  to  protect  the  privacy  of 
individually  identifiable  health  information.    Healthcare  organizations  were  required  to  comply  with  the  privacy 
standards by April 2003 and additional transaction regulations by October 2003.  Such organizations must also be in 
compliance with security regulations by April 2005. 

Information  Solutions  systems  have  been  updated  and  modified  to  comply  with  the  current  requirements  of 
HIPAA.    In  addition,  the  division  has  been  testing  and  sending  HIPAA  compliant  transactions  through  its 
clearinghouse directly to payors and to competitive clearinghouses.  However, not all testing is complete, and there 
are payors and competitive clearinghouses which cannot yet accommodate all HIPAA compliant transactions.  The 
Centers  for  Medicare  and  Medicaid  Services  (“CMS”)  has  indicated  that  it  will  delay  payment  of  nonstandard 
electronic transactions by an additional two weeks as of July 1, 2004.  CMS has implemented a flexible, complaint-
driven enforcement strategy regarding electronic transactions, taking into account good faith efforts to comply with 
the HIPAA standards.  It is possible, however, that CMS may change its existing enforcement strategy in the future 
in a manner that increases the likelihood of fines or penalties for non-compliance with standards.  To the extent that 
other  payors  adopt  policies  similar  to  CMS  regarding  adjudication  and  payment  of  nonstandard  electronic 
transactions and testing of standard transactions has not been completed with such payors, payor reimbursement of 
claims submitted by customers through the McKesson clearinghouse may be slowed, thereby negatively impacting 
the demand for our clearinghouse services and negatively affecting our financial condition.   

Evolving  HIPAA-related  laws  or  regulations  could  restrict  the  ability  of  our  customers  to  obtain,  use  or 
disseminate patient information.  This could adversely affect demand for our products if they are not re-designed in 
a  timely  manner  in  order  to  meet  the  requirements  of  any  new  regulations  that  seek  to  protect  the  privacy  and 
security of patient data or enable our customers to execute new or modified healthcare transactions.  We may need 
to expend additional capital, research and development and other resources to modify our products to address these 
evolving data security and privacy issues.  

Due to the length of our sales and implementation cycles for our Information Solutions segment, our future 
operating results may be impacted. 

Our Information Solutions segment has long sales and implementation cycles, which could range from several 
months to over two years or more from initial contact with the customer to completion of implementation.  How and 
when  to  implement,  replace,  or  expand  an  information  system,  or  modify  or  add  business  processes,  are  major 
decisions for healthcare organizations.  The solutions we provide typically require significant capital expenditures 
and  time  commitments  by  the  customer.    Any  decision  by  our  customers  to  delay  implementation  may  adversely 
affect our revenues.  Furthermore, delays or failures to meet milestones established in our agreements may result in 
a breach of contract, termination of the agreement, damages and/or penalties as well as a reduction in our margins or 
a delay in our ability to recognize revenue. 

Reduced capacity in the commercial property insurance market exposes us to potential loss.  

In order to provide prompt and complete service to our major Pharmaceutical Solutions customers, we maintain 
significant product inventory at certain of our distribution centers.  While we seek to maintain property insurance 
coverage  in  amounts  sufficient  for  our  business,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  our  property  insurance  will  be 

 52

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL REVIEW (Concluded) 

adequate or available on acceptable terms.  One or more large casualty losses caused by fire, earthquake or other 
natural disaster in excess of our coverage limits could materially harm our business, results of operations or financial 
condition. 

Our business could be hindered if we are unable to complete and integrate acquisitions successfully.  

An element of our strategy is to identify, pursue and consummate acquisitions that either expand or complement 
our  business.    Integration  of  acquisitions  involves  a  number  of  risks,  including  the  diversion  of  management's 
attention  to  the  assimilation  of  the  operations  of  businesses  we  have  acquired;  difficulties  in  the  integration  of 
operations  and  systems  and  the  realization  of  potential  operating  synergies;  the  assimilation  and  retention  of  the 
personnel  of  the  acquired  companies;  challenges  in  retaining  the  customers  of  the  combined  businesses;  and 
potential adverse effects on operating results.  In addition, we may potentially require additional financing in order 
to  fund  future  acquisitions,  which  may  or  may  not  be  attainable.    If  we  are  unable  to  successfully  complete  and 
integrate  strategic  acquisitions  in  a  timely  manner,  our  business  and  our  growth  strategies  could  be  negatively 
affected. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  following  factors  could  affect  future  results:  changes  in  generally  accepted 
accounting principles, including the requirement by accounting setting standards boards to expense stock options; 
tax legislation initiatives, foreign currency fluctuations and general economic and market conditions. 

 53

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

The Stockholders and Board of Directors of 
  McKesson Corporation: 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  McKesson  Corporation  and  subsidiaries  as  of 
March  31,  2004  and  2003,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,  stockholders’  equity,  and  cash 
flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2004.  Our audits also included the financial 
statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a).  These consolidated financial statements and financial statement 
schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.  

We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence 
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement 
presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
McKesson Corporation and subsidiaries at March 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their 
cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  fiscal  period  ended  March  31,  2004,  in  conformity  with  accounting 
principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.    Also,  in  our  opinion,  such  consolidated  financial 
statement  schedule,  when  considered  in  relation  to  the  basic  consolidated  financial  statements  taken  as  a  whole, 
presents fairly in all material respects, the information set forth therein. 

As  discussed  in  Financial  Note  18  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Company  is  involved  in  certain 
shareholder litigation related to HBO & Company and subsidiaries. 

As discussed in Financial Note 1, in fiscal 2003 the Company changed its method of accounting for discontinued 
operations to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or 
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.   

As also discussed in Financial Note 1, in fiscal 2004 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board 
Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and retroactively restated the fiscal 2003 and 2002 
financial statements. 

Deloitte & Touche LLP 

San Francisco, California 
April 29, 2004, except for paragraph 39 of Financial Note 1 and paragraph 43 of  

Financial Note 18, as to which the date is May 19, 2004  

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(In millions, except per share amounts) 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

  $ 

69,506.1 
66,257.9 
3,248.2 

57,120.8 
54,018.3 
3,102.5 

  $ 

49,988.1 
47,199.6 
2,788.5 

513.1 
625.7 
172.7 
953.3 
- 

2,264.8 

983.4 
(120.2)   
(1.2)   
49.4 

911.4 
264.9 

646.5 
- 
- 
646.5 

499.0 
571.7 
149.4 
949.4 
- 

2,169.5 

933.0 
(128.1)   
1.4 
45.1 

851.4 
289.3 

562.1 

(3.0)   
(3.7)   

  $ 

555.4 

  $ 

2.19 
- 
- 
2.19 

2.23 
- 
- 
2.23 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

1.90 
(0.01)   
(0.01)   
1.88 

1.94 
(0.01)   
(0.01)   
1.92 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

298.6 
290.0 

298.8 
289.3 

425.6 
502.7 
135.1 
1,001.8 
22.0 
2,087.2 

701.3 
(125.9) 
(13.7) 
40.4 

602.1 
180.3 

421.8 
(3.2) 
- 
418.6 

1.44 
(0.01) 
- 
1.43 

1.48 
(0.01) 
- 
1.47 

298.1 
285.2 

Revenues 
Cost of Sales 
Gross Profit 
Operating Expenses 
  Selling 
  Distribution 
  Research and development 
  Administrative 
  Loss on sales of businesses, net 

Total 

Operating Income  
Interest Expense 
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Net 
Other Income, Net 

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes  
Income Taxes 

Income (Loss) After Income Taxes 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Discontinued operations – loss on sale 

Net Income 

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share 

Diluted 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Discontinued operations – loss on sale 

Total 

Basic 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Discontinued operations – loss on sale 

Total 

Weighted Average Shares 

Diluted 
Basic 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

See Financial Notes 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(In millions, except per share amounts) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

March 31, 

2004 

2003 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

708.0 
9.8 
5,418.8 
6,735.1 
132.5 
13,004.2 

599.9 
129.4 
172.2 
1,405.8 
84.4 
844.3 
16,240.2 

553.5 
6,810.5 
543.0 
274.8 
200.5 
378.9 
694.9 
9,456.1 

409.0 
1,209.8 

522.0 
11.5 
4,594.7 
6,022.5 
102.9 
11,253.6 

593.7 
131.1 
245.6 
1,354.2 
95.3 
687.6 
14,361.1 

680.1 
5,802.7 
459.7 
10.2 
217.2 
221.3 
584.0 
7,975.2 

363.5 
1,496.9 

- 

- 

2.9 
2,047.2 

(43.2)   

3,420.6 

(15.6)   
(52.5)   
(194.1)   
5,165.3 
16,240.2 

  $ 

2.9 
1,921.2 
(92.5) 
2,843.3 
(59.1) 
(61.7) 
(28.6) 
4,525.5 
14,361.1 

  $ 

ASSETS 
Current Assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Marketable securities available for sale 
Receivables, net 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses 

Total   

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 
Capitalized Software Held for Sale 
Notes Receivable 
Goodwill 
Intangibles 
Other Assets 

Total Assets 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Current Liabilities 
Drafts payable 
Accounts payable 
Deferred revenue 
Current portion of long-term debt 
Salaries and wages 
Taxes 
Other  

Total 

Postretirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities 
Long-Term Debt 

Other Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 18) 

Stockholders' Equity 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100.0 shares authorized, no shares

issued or outstanding 

Common stock, $0.01 par value  

Shares authorized: 2004 and 2003 – 800.0 
Shares issued: 2004 – 297.1, 2003 – 292.3 

Additional paid-in capital 
Other capital 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive losses 
ESOP notes and guarantees 
Treasury shares, at cost, 2004 – 6.8,  2003 – 1.1  

Total Stockholders' Equity 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 

See Financial Notes 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,624   

4,352   

Balances, March 31, 2001    286,304  $ 
Issuance of shares under  
  employee plans 
ESOP note collections 
Translation adjustment 
Additional minimum  
  pension liability, net of tax  
  of $(1.9) 
Net income 
Unrealized gain on  
  investments, net of tax of  
  $0.1 
Repurchase of shares 
Other 
Cash dividends declared,  
  $0.24 per common share 
Balances, March 31, 2002    287,928   
Issuance of shares under  
  employee plans 
ESOP note collections 
Translation adjustment 
Additional minimum  
  pension liability, net of tax  
  of $(2.1) 
Net income 
Unrealized loss on investments,  
  net of tax of $(0.7) 
Repurchase of shares 
Other 
Cash dividends declared,  
  $0.24 per common share 
Balances, March 31, 2003 
Issuance of shares under  
  employee plans 
ESOP note collections 
Note collections 
Note reserves 
Translation adjustment 
Additional minimum  
  pension liability, net of tax  
  of $(3.6) 
Net income 
Unrealized gain on investments,  
  net of tax of $0.1 
Repurchase of shares 
Other 
Cash dividends declared,  
  $0.24 per common share 
Balances, March 31, 2004 

  297,112  $ 

  292,280   

4,832   

McKESSON CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Years Ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 
(Shares in thousands, dollars in millions) 

Common 
Stock 

  Shares 

  Amount 

Additional 
  Paid-in 
  Capital 

Other 

Retained  Comprehensive 

  Capital    Earnings   

Losses 

Common 
  Shares 

  Amount     

Stockholders’  Comprehensive 
 Income (Loss) 

Equity 

ESOP Notes   
and 
  Guarantees 

Treasury 

Accumulated 
Other 

2.9  $  1,828.7  $  (111.2) $  2,006.6  $ 

(75.0)  $ 

(89.0)  

(2,321) $ 

(72.9) $ 

3,490.1 

5.3   

13.4   

3,564   

117.1   

14.5   

(4.2) 

(3.3) 

0.1 

0.8 

(1,243)  

(44.2)  

(81.6) 

(74.5)  

-   

- 

(68.5) 
3,937.2  $ 

412.0 

418.6   

(3.0)  

0.5   

2.9   

1,831.0   

(68.5)  
(97.8)   2,357.2   

90.2   

5.3   

135.8 
14.5 
(4.2)  $ 

(3.3) 
418.6 

0.1 
(44.2) 
(1.7) 

(4.2) 

(3.3) 
418.6 

0.1 

0.8 

95.5 
12.8 
29.7  $ 

(5.1) 
555.4 

(1.3) 
(28.6) 
(0.4) 

(69.7) 
4,525.5  $ 

117.3 
9.2 
28.6 
20.7 
48.1  $ 

(4.9) 
646.5 

0.3 
(156.8) 
0.5 

29.7 

(5.1) 
555.4 

(1.3) 

(0.8) 

577.9 

48.1 

(4.9) 
646.5 

0.3 

12.8   

29.7 

(5.1) 

(1.3) 

(0.8) 

555.4   

0.4   

(1,113)  

(28.6)  

2.9   

1,921.2   

(69.7)  
(92.5)   2,843.3   

(59.1) 

(61.7)  

(1,113)  

(28.6)  

126.0   

28.6   
20.7   

(286)  

(8.7)  

9.2   

48.1 

(4.9) 

0.3 

646.5   

0.5   

(5,362)  

(156.8)  

2.9  $  2,047.2  $ 

(69.7)  
(43.2) $  3,420.6  $ 

(15.6)  $ 

(52.5)  

(6,761) $  (194.1) $ 

(69.7) 
5,165.3  $ 

690.0 

See Financial Notes 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(In millions) 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

Operating Activities 
Income from continuing operations 
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:  

$ 

646.5 

  $ 

562.1 

  $ 

421.8 

Depreciation 
Amortization 
Provision for bad debts 
Notes receivable reserve 
Customer settlement reserve reversal 
Contract loss accruals 
Deferred taxes on income 
Loss on sales of businesses, net 
Other non-cash items 

Total 

Effects of changes in: 

Receivables 
Inventories 
Drafts and accounts payable 
Deferred revenue 
Taxes 
Other 

Total 
Net cash provided by continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

Investing Activities 
Property acquisitions 
Capitalized software expenditures 
Acquisitions of businesses, less cash and cash equivalents acquired 
Notes receivable issuances, net 
Proceeds from sale of notes receivable 
Other 

Net cash used by investing activities 

Financing Activities 
Proceeds from issuance of debt 
Repayment of debt 
Capital stock transactions: 

Issuances 
Share repurchases 
ESOP notes and guarantees 
Dividends paid 
Other 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Supplemental Information: 
Cash paid (received) for: 

Interest 
Income taxes 

$ 

$ 

104.8 
127.3 
54.4 
21.0 
(66.4)   
4.8 
69.5 
- 
14.6 
976.5 

(704.7)   
(681.3)   
900.1 
80.7 
61.6 
(69.5)   
(413.1)   
563.4 
- 
563.4 

(115.0)   
(172.0)   
(49.4)   
(8.8)   
45.4 
31.9 
(267.9)   

- 
(17.5)   

101.2 
102.5 
68.5 
- 
(22.3)   
51.0 
126.6 
- 
(19.6)   
970.0 

(641.6)   
13.4 
286.5 
50.7 
16.6 
15.2 
(259.2)   
710.8 

(0.5)   

710.3 

(116.0)   
(188.0)   
(385.8)   
(55.7)   
117.9 
26.7 
(600.9)   

- 
(142.5)   

92.6 
(156.8)   
9.2 
(69.8)   
32.8 
(109.5)   
186.0 
522.0 
708.0 

  $ 

78.8 
(25.0)   
12.8 
(69.7)   
0.4 
(145.2)   
(35.8)   
557.8 
522.0 

  $ 

117.2 
89.3 
61.7 
- 
- 
- 
76.8 
22.0 
45.4 
834.2 

(736.1) 
(901.5) 
978.9 
7.9 
150.9 
5.0 
(494.9) 
339.3 
(2.4) 
336.9 

(130.8) 
(125.7) 
(73.1) 
(58.6) 
- 
(16.1) 
(404.3) 

397.3 
(200.7) 

88.1 
(44.2) 
14.5 
(68.5) 
5.2 
191.7 
124.3 
433.5 
557.8 

  $ 

119.9 
138.2 

  $ 

122.0 
139.2 

108.9 
(45.7) 

See Financial Notes 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES 

1.  Significant Accounting Policies 

Nature  of  Operations.    The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  McKesson  Corporation  (“McKesson,”  the 
“Company,”  or  “we”  and  other  similar  pronouns)  include  the  financial  statements  of  all  majority-owned  or 
controlled companies.  Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.  Certain prior year 
amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  The Company’s fiscal year begins on 
April 1 and ends on March 31.  Unless otherwise noted, all references to a particular year shall mean the Company’s 
fiscal year. 

We  conduct  our  business  through  three  segments:  Pharmaceutical  Solutions,  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  and 
Information Solutions.  The Pharmaceutical Solutions segment includes our U.S. and Canadian pharmaceutical and 
healthcare  products  distribution  businesses  and  a  22%  equity  interest  in  a  pharmaceutical  distributor  in  Mexico, 
Nadro S.A. de C.V. (“Nadro”).  Our U.S. Pharmaceutical Solutions business also includes the manufacture and sale 
of  automated  pharmaceutical  dispensing  systems  for  hospitals  and  retail  pharmacies,  medical  management  and 
specialty  pharmaceutical  solutions  for  biotech  and  pharmaceutical  manufacturers,  patient  and  payor  services, 
consulting  and  outsourcing  services  to  pharmacies,  and  distribution  of  first-aid  products  to  industrial  and 
commercial  customers.    The  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distributes  medical-surgical  supplies  and 
equipment, and provides logistics and related services within the U.S.  The Information Solutions segment delivers 
enterprise-wide  clinical,  revenue  cycle  and  resource  management  software  solutions,  as  well  as  technology, 
outsourcing  and  other  professional  services,  to  healthcare  organizations  throughout  North  America,  certain 
European countries and the United Kingdom.  

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  as  of  the  date  of  the  financial 
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the  reporting  period.    Actual  results  could 
differ from those estimates. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months 

or less at the date of acquisition. 

Marketable Securities Available for Sale are carried at fair value and the net unrealized gains and losses, net of 
the  related  tax  effect,  computed  in  marking  these  securities  to  market  have  been  reported  within  stockholders’ 
equity.   

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Inventories for the Pharmaceutical Solutions and Medical-
Surgical Solutions segments consist of merchandise held for resale.  For our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment, the 
majority  of  the  cost  of  domestic  inventories  were  determined  on  the  last-in,  first-out  (“LIFO”)  method  and 
international inventories stated using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  Cost of inventories for our Medical-
Surgical  Solutions  segment  was  primarily  determined  on  the  FIFO  method.    Information  Solutions  segment 
inventories  consist  of  computer  hardware  with  cost  determined  either  by  the  specific  identification  or  the  FIFO 
method.  The LIFO method was used to value approximately 90% of our inventories at March 31, 2004 and 2003.  
Total inventories before the LIFO cost adjustment, which approximates replacement cost, were $6,981.5 million and 
$6,241.0 million at March 31, 2004 and 2003.  Allowances received from vendors are generally accounted for as a 
reduction in the cost of inventory and are recognized when the inventory is sold. 

Property, Plant and Equipment is stated at cost and depreciated on the straight-line method at rates designed to 

distribute the cost of properties over estimated service lives ranging from one to 50 years. 

Capitalized Software Held for Sale consists of development costs for software held for sale primarily for our 
Information  Solutions  segment.    Such  costs  are  capitalized  once  a  project  has  reached  the  point  of  technological 
feasibility.  Completed projects are amortized after reaching the point of general availability using the straight-line 
method  based  on  an  estimated  useful  life  of  approximately  three  years.    We  monitor  the  net  realizable  value  of 
capitalized software held for sale to ensure that the investment will be recovered through future sales.   

59 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

Additional information regarding our capitalized software expenditures is as follows: 

(In millions) 
Amounts capitalized 
Amortization expense 
Third-party royalty fees paid 

$ 

Years Ended March 31,  

2004 

2003 

2002 

  $ 

57.7 
53.2 
25.0 

  $ 

53.8 
44.3 
24.9 

48.6 
37.2 
20.8 

Long-lived  Assets.    We  assess  the  recoverability  of  goodwill  on  at  least  an  annual  basis  and  other  long-lived 
assets  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  may  not  be 
recoverable.  Measurement of impairment losses for long-lived assets, including goodwill, which we expect to hold 
and use, is based on estimated fair values of the assets.  Estimates of fair values are based on quoted market prices, 
when  available,  the  results  of  valuation  techniques  utilizing  discounted  cash  flows  (using  the  lowest  level  of 
identifiable  cash  flows)  or  fundamental  analysis.    Long-lived  assets  to  be  disposed  of,  either  by  sale  or 
abandonment, are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. 

Capitalized  Software  Held  for  Internal  Use  is  amortized  over  estimated  useful  lives  ranging  from  one  to  ten 
years and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  As of March 31, 2004 and 2003, capitalized 
software  held  for  internal  use  was  $389.3  million  and  $325.5  million,  net  of  accumulated  amortization  of  $182.0 
million and $127.7 million.  

Insurance Programs.  Under our insurance programs, we seek to obtain coverage for catastrophic exposures as 
well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract.  It is our policy to retain a significant portion of certain 
losses  primarily  related  to  workers’  compensation  and  comprehensive  general,  product,  and  vehicle  liability.  
Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon our estimate of the aggregate liability 
for claims incurred.  Such estimates utilize certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry. 

Revenue Recognition.  Revenues for our Pharmaceutical Solutions and Medical-Surgical Solutions segments are 
recognized when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed 
or determinable, product delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, there are no further obligations to 
customers, and collectability is probable.  Revenues are recorded net of sales returns, allowances and rebates.  Sales 
returns  are  recorded  when  goods  are  returned  to  us  and  are  generally  not  accepted  unless  the  inventory  can  be 
returned  to  the  manufacturer  for  credit.    Sales  returns  were  approximately  $766  million,  $755  million  and  $721 
million  in  2004,  2003  and  2002.    Amounts  recorded  in  revenue  and  cost  of  sales  under  this  accounting  policy 
approximate what would have been recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 48, 
“Revenue Recognition when Right of Return Exists.”  Included in our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment revenues 
are  large  volume  sales  of  pharmaceuticals  to  a  limited  number  of  large  self-warehousing  customers  whereby  we 
order and subsequently deliver bulk products directly from the manufacturer to the customers’ warehouses through a 
central  distribution  facility.    In  addition  to  these  revenues,  we  also  record  revenues  associated  with  direct  store 
deliveries from  most of these same customers.  Sales to  customer warehouses amounted to $21.6 billion in 2004, 
$14.8 billion in 2003, and $13.2 billion in 2002.  These sales are recorded gross as we take title to and possession of 
the  inventory  and  assume  the  risk  of  loss  for  collection,  delivery  or  return.    We  have  significantly  lower  gross 
margin on these sales as we pass much of the efficiencies of this low cost-to-serve model on to the customer.  These 
sales  do,  however,  contribute  to  our  gross  profit  dollars  in  that  the  volume  allows  us  to  earn  incremental  product 
sourcing profits.   

Revenues  for  our  Information  Solutions  segment  are  generated  primarily  by  licensing  software  systems 
(consisting of software,  hardware  and  maintenance support),  and providing  outsourcing  and professional  services.  
Revenue for this segment is recognized as follows: 

Software systems are marketed under information systems agreements as well as service agreements.  Perpetual 
software arrangements are recognized at the time of delivery or under the percentage-of-completion contract method 
in  accordance  with  Statement  of  Position  (“SOP”)  97-2,  “Software  Revenue  Recognition,”  and  SOP  81-1, 
“Accounting  for  Performance  of  Construction-Type  and  Certain  Production-Type  Contracts,”  based  on  the  terms 
and conditions in the contract.  Contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion  method are generally 
measured based on the ratio of labor costs incurred to date to total estimated labor costs to be incurred.  Changes in 
estimates  to  complete  and  revisions  in  overall  profit  estimates  on  these  contracts  are  charged  to  earnings  in  the 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

period in which they are determined.  We accrue for contract losses if and when the current estimate of total contract 
costs exceeds total contract revenue.   

Hardware  revenues  are  generally  recognized  upon  delivery.    Revenue  from  multi-year  software  license 
agreements is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement.  Software implementation fees are recognized as 
the  work  is  performed  or  under  the  percentage-of-completion  contract  method.    Maintenance  and  support 
agreements are marketed under annual or multiyear agreements and are recognized ratably over the period covered 
by  the  agreements.    Remote  processing  service  fees  are  recognized  monthly  as  the  service  is  performed.  
Outsourcing service revenues are recognized as the service is performed. 

We  also  offer  our  products  on  an  application  service  provider  (“ASP”)  basis,  making  available  our  software 
functionality on a remote hosting basis from our data centers.  The data centers provide system and administrative 
support as well as hosting services.  Revenue on products sold on an ASP basis is recognized on a monthly basis 
over the term of the contract starting when the hosting services begin. 

This segment also engages in multiple-element arrangements, which may contain any combination of software, 
hardware, implementation or consulting services, or maintenance services.  When some elements are delivered prior 
to others in an arrangement and vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”) exists for the undelivered 
elements, revenue for the delivered elements is recognized upon delivery of such items.  The segment establishes 
VSOE for hardware and implementation and consulting services based on the price charged when sold separately, 
and  for  maintenance  services,  based  on  renewal  rates  offered  to  customers.    Revenue  for  the  software  element  is 
recognized under the residual method only when fair value has been established for all of the undelivered elements 
in an arrangement.  If fair value cannot be established for any undelivered element, all of the arrangement’s revenue 
is deferred until the delivery of the last element or until the fair value of the undelivered element is determinable. 

Income  Taxes.    We  account  for  income  taxes  under  the  asset  and  liability  method,  which  requires  the 
recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been 
included in the financial statements.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on 
the difference between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect 
for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. 

Foreign Currency Translation.  Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars 
at  year-end  exchange  rates,  and  revenues  and  expenses  are  translated  at  average  exchange  rates  during  the  year.  
Cumulative  currency  translation  adjustments  are  included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  losses  in  the 
stockholders' equity section of the consolidated balance sheets.  Realized gains and losses from currency exchange 
transactions are recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and were not material to 
our consolidated results of operations in 2004, 2003 or 2002. 

Derivative Financial Instruments.  Derivative financial instruments are used principally in the management of 
our foreign currency and interest rate exposures and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.  If the derivative 
is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable 
to the hedged risk are recognized as a charge or credit to earnings.  If the derivative is designated as a cash flow 
hedge,  the  effective  portions  of  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  derivative  are  recorded  in  accumulated  other 
comprehensive  losses  and  are  recognized  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  when  the  hedged  item  affects 
earnings.  Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized as a charge or credit to 
earnings.    Derivative  instruments  not  designated  as  hedges  are  marked-to-market  at  the  end  of  each  accounting 
period with the results included in earnings. 

Concentrations  of  Credit  Risk.    Trade  receivables  subject  us  to  a  concentration  of  credit  risk  with  customers 
primarily in our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment.  A significant proportion of our revenue growth has been with a 
limited number of large customers and as a result, our credit concentration has increased.  Accordingly, any defaults 
in payment by or a reduction in purchases from these large customers could have a significant negative impact on 
our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.  At March 31, 2004, revenues and accounts receivable 
from  our  ten  largest  customers  accounted  for  approximately  50%  of  total  consolidated  revenues  and  accounts 
receivable.  Fiscal 2004 revenues and March 31, 2004 receivables from our largest customer, Rite Aid Corporation, 
represented  approximately  11%  of  total  consolidated  revenues  and  8%  of  accounts  receivable.    We  have  also 
provided financing arrangements to certain of our customers within our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment, some of 

61 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

which  are  on  a  revolving  basis.    At  March  31,  2004,  these  arrangements  totaled  $196.1  million  and  we  have  a 
security interest in the customers’ assets.  

Accounts Receivable Sales.  At March 31, 2004, we had a $1.1 billion revolving receivables sales facility, which 
was fully available.  The program qualifies for sale treatment under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting For Transfers and 
Servicing Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.”  Sales are recorded at the estimated fair values of the 
receivables  sold,  reflecting  discounts  for  the  time  value  of  money  based  on  U.S.  commercial  paper  rates  and 
estimated  loss  provisions.    Discounts  are  recorded  in  administrative  expenses  in  the  consolidated  statements  of 
operations. 

Employee  Stock  Options.    We  account  for  our  employee  stock-based  compensation  plans  using  the  intrinsic 
value  method  under  Accounting  Principles  Board  (“APB”)  Opinion  No.  25,  “Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to 
Employees.”  We apply the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” 
as  amended  by  SFAS  No.  148,  “Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation  –  Transition  and  Disclosure.”    Had 
compensation  cost  for  our  employee  stock-based  compensation  been  recognized  based  on  the  fair  value  method, 
consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, net income and earnings per share would have been as follows:   

(In millions, except per share amounts) 
Net income, as reported 
Compensation expense, net of tax: 

APB Opinion No. 25 expense included in net income 
SFAS No. 123 expense 

Pro forma net income 
Earnings per common share: 
Diluted – as reported 
Diluted – pro forma 
Basic – as reported 
Basic – pro forma 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

$ 

646.5 

  $ 

555.4 

  $ 

418.6 

$ 

$ 

5.3 
(209.8)  
442.0 

  $ 

3.2 
(159.5)   
399.1 

  $ 

6.9 
(168.6) 
256.9 

2.19    $ 
1.50   
2.23   
1.52   

1.88    $ 
1.36   
1.92   
1.38   

1.43 
0.88 
1.47 
0.90 

In 2004, we accelerated the vesting of substantially all unvested stock options outstanding whose exercise price 
was equal to or greater than $28.20, or substantially all of the total unvested stock options outstanding.  SFAS No. 
123 expense related to this acceleration amounted to approximately $117 million (or $0.39 per diluted share) on an 
after-tax basis. 

New Accounting Pronouncements.  In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued 
SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting requirements 
for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets.  In May 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, 
“Rescission of FASB Statements 4, 44, 64, Amendment to FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections as of 
April  2002.”    SFAS  No.  145  amends  other  existing  authoritative  pronouncements  to  make  various  technical 
corrections,  clarify  meanings,  or  describe  their  applicability  under  changed  conditions.    SFAS  Nos.  143  and  145 
became  effective  for  2004.    The  adoption  of  these  standards  did  not  materially  impact  our  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived 
Assets,”  that  replaces  SFAS No.  121,  “Accounting  for  the  Impairment  of Long-Lived  Assets  and  for  Long-Lived 
Assets to Be Disposed Of.”  SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, including those 
of discontinued operations, be measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.  Discontinued 
operations are no longer measured at net realizable value or include amounts for operating losses that have not yet 
been incurred.  SFAS No. 144 also broadens the reporting of discontinued operations to include all components of 
an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the rest of the entity and that will be eliminated from the 
ongoing operations in a disposal transaction.  We adopted SFAS No. 144 as of April 1, 2002.  The adoption of this 
standard resulted in the classification of a disposition of a business as a discontinued operation. 

In  July  2002,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  146,  “Accounting  for  Costs  Associated  with  Exit  or  Disposal 
Activities,” which replaces Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain 
Employee  Termination  Benefits  and  Other  Costs  to  Exit  an  Activity.”    SFAS  No.  146  requires  that  liabilities 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

associated  with  exit  or  disposal  activities  be  recognized  when  they  are  incurred.    Under  EITF  Issue  No.  94-3,  a 
liability for exit costs was recognized at the date of a commitment to an exit plan.  SFAS No. 146 also requires that 
the liability be measured and recorded at fair value.  Accordingly, this standard may affect the timing of recognizing 
future restructuring costs as well as the amounts recognized.  Liabilities recognized prior to the initial application of 
SFAS No. 146 continue to be accounted for in accordance with preexisting guidance.  The provisions of SFAS No. 
146 were adopted for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002 on a prospective basis.  The adoption 
of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure 
Requirements  for  Guarantees,  Including  Indirect  Guarantees  of  Indebtedness  of  Others.”    This  interpretation 
elaborates  on  the  disclosures  to  be  made  by  a  guarantor  in  its  interim  and  annual  financial  statements  about 
obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued.  It also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at 
the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  The 
disclosure  requirements  of  FIN  No.  45  were  effective  for  interim  and  annual  periods  ending  after  December  15, 
2002.    The  initial  recognition  and  measurement  requirements  of  FIN  No.  45  are  effective  prospectively  for 
guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.  The adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a material impact 
on our consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2002, the FASB reached a consensus regarding EITF Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements 
with  Multiple  Deliverables.”    EITF  Issue  No.  00-21  addresses  accounting  for  arrangements  that  may  involve  the 
delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets.  The guidance provided by EITF 
Issue No. 00-21 is effective for us on contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2003.  The adoption of this standard 
did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  

Also, in November 2002, the FASB reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer 
(Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor.”  EITF Issue No. 02-16 provides that cash 
consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the prices of the vendor's products or services 
and should, therefore, be characterized as a reduction in cost of sales unless it is a payment for assets or services 
delivered  to  the  vendor,  in  which  case  the  cash  consideration  should  be  characterized  as  revenue,  or  it  is  a 
reimbursement  of  costs  incurred  to  sell  the  vendor's  products,  in  which  case  the  cash  consideration  should  be 
characterized  as  a  reduction  of  that  cost.    This  consensus  is  generally  effective  for  new  or  modified  agreements 
subsequent to November 2002.  We were previously accounting for rebates in accordance with this consensus, and 
as a result, the adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition 
and Disclosure.”  This statement amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to provide 
alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based 
employee  compensation.    In  addition,  SFAS  No.  148  amends  the  disclosure  requirements  of  SFAS  No.  123  to 
require prominent  disclosures  in  both  interim  and  annual  financial  statements  about  the  method of  accounting  for 
stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results.  The Company has not 
yet adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation, however, as required, we adopted the 
disclosure provisions of this standard in 2004.   

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” and in December 
2003,  a  revised  interpretation  was  issued  (FIN  No.  46(R)).    In  general,  a  variable  interest  entity  (“VIE”)  is  a 
corporation,  partnership,  trust,  or  any  other  legal  structure  used  for  business  purposes  that  either  does  not  have 
equity investors with voting rights or has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the 
entity  to  support  its  activities.    FIN  No.  46  requires  a  VIE  to  be  consolidated  by  a  company  if  that  company  is 
designated as the primary beneficiary.  The interpretation applies to VIEs created after January 31, 2003, and for all 
financial statements issued after December 15, 2003 for VIEs in which an enterprise held a variable interest that it 
acquired before February 1, 2003. 

We  implemented  FIN  Nos.  46  and  46(R)  on  a  retroactive  basis  as  required  in  2004.    As  a  result  of  the 
implementation, the Company no longer consolidates its investment in the McKesson Financing Trust (the “Trust”) 
as the Company was not designated as the Trust’s primary beneficiary.  In accordance with this accounting standard, 
the  Company  now  recognizes  the  debentures  issued  to  the  Trust  as  long-term  debt  in  its  consolidated  financial 
statements  in  lieu  of  the  preferred  securities  that  the  Trust  issued  to  third  parties.    Additionally,  the  consolidated 
financial  statements  include  interest  expense  on  the  debentures  and  no  longer  report  dividends  on  the  preferred 

63 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

securities, net of tax.  These changes increased the Company’s net debt to net capital employed ratio slightly but did 
not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, including diluted earnings per share.   

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and 
Hedging Activities.”  SFAS No. 149 amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made as part of the FASB’s Derivatives 
Implementation  Group  process,  other  FASB  projects  dealing  with  financial  instruments,  and  in  connection  with 
implementation  issues  raised  in  relation  to  the  application  of  the  definition  of  a  derivative.    This  statement  is 
generally  effective  for  contracts  entered  into  or  modified  after  June  30,  2003  and  for  hedging  relationships 
designated after June 30, 2003.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated 
financial statements. 

In  May  2003,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  150,  “Accounting  for  Certain  Financial  Instruments  with 
Characteristics  of  both  Liabilities  and  Equity.”    SFAS  No.  150  clarifies  the  definition  of  a  liability  as  currently 
defined in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, “Elements of Financial Statements,” as well as other planned revisions.  
This statement requires a financial instrument that embodies an obligation of an issuer to be classified as a liability.  
In  addition,  the  statement  establishes  standards  for  the  initial  and  subsequent  measurement  of  these  financial 
instruments  and  disclosure  requirements.    SFAS  No.  150  is  effective  for  financial  instruments  entered  into  or 
modified after May 31, 2003 and for all other matters, at the beginning of our second quarter of 2004.  The adoption 
of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In December 2003, the FASB issued a revision to SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and 
Other Postretirement Benefits,” effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003.  This statement does not 
change the measurement or recognition aspects for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans, however it does 
revise employers’ disclosures to include more information about plan assets, obligations to pay benefits and funding 
obligations.  As required, the Company adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 132 in 2004. 

In  December  2003,  the  Staff  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”)  issued  Staff  Accounting 
Bulletin  (“SAB”)  No.  104,  “Revenue  Recognition,”  which  supersedes  SAB  No.  101,  “Revenue  Recognition  in 
Financial Statements.”  SAB No. 104’s primary purpose is to rescind the accounting guidance contained in SAB No. 
101 related to multiple-element revenue arrangements that was superseded as a result of the issuance of EITF Issue 
No.  00-21.    Additionally,  SAB  No.  104  rescinds  the  SEC’s  related  Revenue  Recognition  in  Financial  Statements 
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers issued with SAB No. 101 that had previously been codified by the SEC.  
While the wording of SAB No. 104 reflects the issuance of EITF Issue No. 00-21, the revenue recognition principles 
of  SAB  No.  101  remain  largely  unchanged  by  the  issuance  of  SAB  No.  104,  which was  effective  upon  issuance.  
The  adoption  of  SAB  No.  104  did  not  have  a  material  effect  on  our  consolidated  financial  position  or  results  of 
operations. 

In  January  2004,  the  FASB  issued  Financial  Staff  Position  (“FSP”)  106-1,  “Accounting  and  Disclosure 
Requirements  Related  to  the  Medicare  Prescription  Drug,  Improvement  and  Modernization  Act  of  2003.”    As 
permitted  by  FSP  No.  106-1,  we  elected  to  defer  recognizing  the  effects  of  the  Medicare  Prescription  Drug, 
Improvement  and  Modernization  Act  of  2003  (the  “Act”)  until  authoritative  guidance  on  accounting  for  the  new 
federal subsidy is issued.  In May 2004, the FASB issued FSP No. 106-2 which provides accounting guidance for 
this  new  subsidy.    The  Company  sponsors  a  number  of  postretirement  benefit  plans  which  may  benefit  from  the 
subsidy and as a result, we are currently evaluating the impact of FSP No. 106-2, which we are required to adopt in 
our second quarter of 2005. 

2.  Acquisitions 

We made the following acquisitions: 

− 

In April 2004, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Moore Medical Corp. (“MMC”), of New 
Britain, Connecticut, for $12 per share in cash or approximately $40 million in aggregate.  MMC is an Internet-
enabled,  multi-channel  marketer  and  distributor  of  medical-surgical  and  pharmaceutical  products  to  non-
hospital  provider  settings.    Financial  results  for  MMC  will  be  reflected  as  part  of  our  Medical-Surgical 
Solutions segment in 2005.   

64 

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

− 

− 

− 

In the second quarter of 2003, we acquired the outstanding stock of A.L.I. Technologies Inc. (“A.L.I.”) for an 
aggregate cash purchase price of $347.0 million.  A.L.I. provides digital medical imaging solutions which are 
designed to streamline access to diagnostic information, automate clinical workflow and eliminate the need for 
film  purchase  and  storage.    The  acquisition  of  A.L.I.  complemented  our  Horizon  Clinicals™  offering  by 
incorporating  medical  images  into  a  computerized  patient  record.    Approximately  $328  million  of  A.L.I.’s 
purchase price was assigned to goodwill, none of which is deductible for tax purposes.  The aggregate purchase 
price  was  financed  through  cash  and  short-term  borrowings.    The  results  of  A.L.I.’s  operations  have  been 
included in the consolidated financial statements within our Information Solutions segment since its acquisition 
date.   

In February 2002, our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment acquired, for approximately $62 million in cash, the 
net assets of PMO, Inc., a national specialty pharmacy business (having previously done business as VitaRx), 
that provides mail order pharmaceutical prescription services to managed care patients. 

In  2003,  we  purchased  the  remaining  interest  in  an  investment  of  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment  for 
approximately  $32  million,  retained  a  small  portion  of  the  business  and  subsequently  sold  the  balance  for 
approximately  $40  million,  the  proceeds  of  which  consisted  of  an  interest  bearing  ten-year  note  receivable, 
resulting in a nominal loss.  

During  the  last  three  years  we  also  completed  several  smaller  acquisitions  and  investments  within  our 
Pharmaceutical  Solutions  and  Information  Solutions  segments.    Pro  forma  results  of  operations  for  our  business 
acquisitions have not been presented because the effects were not material to the consolidated financial statements 
on either an individual or aggregate basis. 

3.  Discontinued Operations and Other Divestitures 

In September 2002, we sold the net assets of a marketing fulfillment business which was previously included in 
our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment.    Net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  this  business  were  $4.5  million.    The 
disposition  resulted  in  an  after-tax  loss  of  $3.7  million  or  $0.01  per  diluted  share.    The  net  assets  and  results  of 
operations of this business have been presented as a discontinued operation and, as a result, prior year amounts have 
been reclassified.   

In  2002,  we  sold  three  businesses,  Abaton.com,  Inc.,  Amisys  Managed  Care  Systems,  Inc.  and  ProDental 
Corporation.    Two  of  these  businesses  were  from  our  Information  Solutions  segment  and  one  was  from  our 
Pharmaceutical Solutions segment.  Net proceeds from the sale of these businesses were $0.2 million, resulting in a 
pre-tax loss of $22.0 million and an after-tax gain of $22.0 million.  For accounting purposes, the net assets of one of 
these businesses were written down in 2001 in connection with the restructuring of a former business segment.  The 
tax benefit could not be recognized until 2002 when the sale of the business was completed.  In addition, as SFAS 
No.  144  was  not  effective  until  2003,  the  dispositions  of  these  businesses  were  not  treated  as  discontinued 
operations.   

4.  Contracts 

In  2003,  we  recorded  a  $51.0  million  provision  for  expected  losses  on  five  multi-year  contracts  in  our 
Information Solutions segment’s international business.  Substantially all of the expected losses pertain to contracts 
that  were  entered  into  in  2001  or  earlier.    These  contracts  contain  multiple-element  deliverables,  including 
customization of software.  In addition, these contracts place significant reliance on third party vendors as well as 
the customers.   

During  the  software  development  and  implementation  phases  of  these  contracts,  despite  experiencing  certain 
operational issues, we believed these contracts could be fully performed on a timely basis and remain profitable.  In 
2003, after experiencing numerous delays in product delivery and functionality, we conducted a reassessment of the 
contract delivery and project methodology, including assessment of our third party vendors’ ability to perform under 
these contracts.  We determined that certain contract obligations, including software functionality, could not be met 
within existing contract cost estimates and delivery dates.  Accordingly, we reassessed our estimate of the costs to 
fulfill our contract obligations and recorded a $51.0 million provision for the expected contract losses. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

During the third quarter of 2004, the Company and a customer decided to exit one contract and had commenced 
discussions  to  mutually  terminate  the  contract  and  negotiate  settlement  terms  and  conditions,  and  as  a  result,  we 
recorded an additional $20.0 million contract loss provision.  In the fourth quarter of 2004, we reduced our accrued 
contract  loss  provision  by  $15.2  million  primarily  to  reflect  the  final  terms  and  conditions  of  our  termination 
agreement with this customer.   

5.  Restructuring and Related Asset Impairments 

Net charges (credits) from restructuring activities over the last three years were as follows: 

(In millions, except for number of employees) 
By Expense Type: 
Severance 
Exit-related costs 
Asset impairments 

Subtotal 

Customer settlement reserve reversals 

Total  

By Segment: 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 
Corporate 
Total 

Years Ended March 31,  

2004 

2003 

2002 

$

$ 

$ 

$ 

  $ 

5.8 
(2.3)  
0.3 
3.8 
(66.4)  
(62.6)   $ 

(0.2)   $ 
0.6 
(66.6)  
3.6 

(62.6)   $ 

(5.8)    $ 
(0.3)   
1.3 
(4.8)   
(22.3)   
(27.1)    $ 

  $ 

7.7 
(11.7)   
(22.3)   
(0.8)   

(27.1)    $ 

14.0 
18.2 
7.6 
39.8 
- 
39.8 

2.6 
26.0 
12.0 
(0.8)
39.8 

Number of employees terminated (primarily in distribution, 

delivery and associated back-office functions) 

151 

326 

295 

In 2004, net charges for restructuring activities, excluding customer settlement reserve reversals, amounted to 
$3.8 million.  These charges related to a number of smaller initiatives offset in part by adjustments to prior years’ 
restructuring reserves.  

In  2003,  net  credits  for  restructuring  activities,  excluding  customer  settlement  reserve  reversals,  amounted  to 
$4.8 million.  These net credits primarily related to $12.0 million of reversals of severance and exit-related accruals 
pertaining  to  our  re-evaluation  of  our  2002  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment  distribution  center  network 
consolidation  plan.    The  original  consolidation  plan  included  a  net  reduction  of  20  distribution  centers,  from  51, 
compared to a net reduction of 14 under the revised plan.  Net credits for 2003 also include $5.1 million of charges 
for additional facility closure costs associated with prior years’ restructuring plans in our Pharmaceutical Solutions 
segment. 

In 2002, net charges for restructuring activities of $39.8 million included severance charges of $19.8 million, 
exit-related  charges  of  $19.5  million  and  asset  impairment  charges  of  $7.6  million  primarily  related  to  a  plan  to 
reduce  the  number  of  distribution  centers  in  our  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  segment,  as  well  as  restructuring 
activities in our Information Solutions segment.  Partially offsetting these charges was a reversal of $7.1 million of 
prior years’ restructuring reserves due to a change in estimated costs to complete these activities. 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  activity  related  to  the  restructuring  liabilities,  excluding  customer 

settlement reserves, for the three years ended March 31, 2004: 

Pharmaceutical 
Solutions 

Medical-Surgical 
Solutions 

Information 
Solutions 

Exit-

Exit-

Exit-

Corporate 

Exit-

Severance 
$ 

6.0  $ 
0.7   

Related Severance

Related Severance

Related Severance 

3.6   $
2.4    

4.0  $
11.4   

3.9    $
15.7     

3.5  $
7.5 

9.0   $ 
1.1    

Related  Total
0.3  $ 55.0
  39.3
0.3 

24.7  $ 
0.2   

(In millions) 
Balance, March 31, 2001 
Current year expenses 
Adjustments to prior years’ 

expenses 
Net expense for the period 

Cash expenditures 
Balance, March 31, 2002 
Current year expenses 
Adjustments to prior years’ 

expenses 
Net expense for the period 

Cash expenditures 
Balance, March 31, 2003 
Current year expenses 
Adjustments to prior years’ 

expenses 
Net expense for the period 

Cash expenditures 
Balance, March 31, 2004 

$ 

(2.0)   
(1.3)   
(3.5)   
1.2   
0.8   

(0.3)   
0.5   
(1.7)   
- 
0.6   

(0.6)
1.8    
(1.0)   
4.4    
1.1    

5.1
6.2    
(2.5)   
8.1    
0.2    

(0.9)  
10.5   
(3.6)  
10.9   
- 

(5.5)  
(5.5)  
(3.7)  
1.7   
2.0   

(2.7)
13.0     
(2.6)    
14.3     

- 

(6.5)
(6.5)    
(3.8)    
4.0     
0.1     

- 
0.6   
(0.2)   
0.4  $ 

(1.3)
(1.1)   
(1.8)   
5.2   $

(0.4)  
1.6   
(1.6)  
1.7  $

(1.1)
(1.0)    
(1.1)    
1.9    $

(1.6)  
5.9 
(3.8)  
5.6 
- 

- 
- 

(4.7)  
0.9 
- 

- 
- 

(0.7)  
0.2  $

2.0
3.1    
(7.6)   
4.5    
- 

- 
- 
(1.5)   
3.0    
- 

(1.3)  
(1.1)  
(6.8)  
16.8   
- 

(0.8)  
(0.8)  
(2.0)  
14.0   
3.9   

(7.1)
- 
0.3 
  32.2
(0.3)    (29.2)
  58.0
0.3 
1.9
- 

- 
- 

(8.0)
(6.1)
(0.3)    (20.2)
  31.7
- 
6.8
- 

(0.2)
(0.2)   
(0.9)   
1.9   $ 

(0.3)  
3.6   
(7.1)  
10.5  $ 

- 
- 
- 
- 

(3.3)
3.5
  (13.4)
$ 21.8

Accrued  restructuring  liabilities  are  included  in  other  liabilities  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets.    The 
remaining  balances  at  March  31,  2004  for  Corporate  include  approximately  $7  million  of  retirement  costs  which 
were paid in April 2004. 

In addition to the above restructuring activities, we are still managing a 2001/2000 restructuring plan associated 
with  customer  settlements  for  the  discontinuance  of  overlapping  and  nonstrategic  products  and  other  product 
development projects within our Information Solutions segment.  In 2004 and 2003, we reversed $66.4 million and 
$22.3  million  of  accrued  customer  settlement  reserves  into  operating  expenses  due  to  favorable  settlements  and 
negotiations with affected customers.  There have been no significant offsetting changes in estimates that increase 
the provision for customer settlements.  Total cash and non-cash settlements of $45.3 million and $95.0 million have 
been incurred since the inception of this restructuring plan.  Non-cash settlements represent write-offs of customer 
receivables. 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  activity  related  to  the  customer  settlement  reserves  for  the  three  years 

ended March 31, 2004: 

(In millions) 
March 31, 2002  
March 31, 2003  
March 31, 2004  

Beginning  
Balance 

$    195.5   
133.4   
86.9   

Settlements 

Cash

$       (19.9)

(13.0)   
(2.1)   

Non-cash (a)
$     (42.2)
(11.2) 
(12.2) 

  Reversals of  
  Prior Years’  
Expenses (b) 
- 
(22.3)   
(66.4)   

$

Ending Balance

  $ 

133.4
86.9 
6.2 

(a)  Non-cash settlements represent write-offs of customer receivables. 
(b)  By  the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  2003,  we  had  completed,  on  a  cumulative  basis,  settlements  with  71%  of  our  affected 
customers.    Additionally,  we  announced  the  general  availability  of  a  critical  software  component  of  our  clinical  strategy, 
which  helped  us  refine  our  estimate  of  customers  expected  to  move  forward  with  the  clinical  product  replacements  and 
provided  a  more  favorable  prognosis  of  remaining  settlements.    Accordingly,  we  reversed  $22.3  million  of  the  customer 
settlement  reserve  in  the  fiscal  year.    In  fiscal  2004,  we  had  significant  settlement  activity,  including  the  completion  and 
execution of a number of the more difficult customer settlements.  As of March 31, 2004, we were substantially complete 
(97%) with our customer settlements.  As a result, the customer settlement reserve was reduced by $66.4 million and we 
believe we have good estimates for the few remaining settlements. 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

Past settlements do not necessarily reflect future or projected settlement amounts.  Customer settlement reserves 
were established, reviewed and assessed on a customer and contract specific basis, and actual settlements for each 
customer varied significantly depending on the specific mix and number of products, and each customer contract or 
contracts. 

By  the  end  of  the  fourth  quarter  of  2004,  we  substantially  completed  our  negotiations  with  the  affected 
customers.    As  a  result,  we  do  not  anticipate  additional  significant  increases  to  the  allowance  for  customer 
settlements.  However, as settlement negotiations with the remaining customers are finalized, additional adjustments 
to the reserve may be necessary.   

6.  Gain (Loss) on Investments, Net 

Gain (loss) on investments includes gains and losses from the sale or liquidation of investments and other-than-
temporary impairment losses.  We recorded other-than-temporary impairment losses of $1.5 million, $8.5 million, 
and $14.6 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002 on equity and joint venture investments as a result of significant declines 
in the market values of these investments.  We used quoted market prices, if available, to determine the fair value of 
our  investments.    For  investments  that  do  not  trade  regularly,  we  estimated  fair  value  using  a  variety  of  pricing 
techniques including discounted cash flow analyses and market transactions.   

7.  Other Income, Net 

(In millions) 
Interest income 
Equity in earnings, net 
Gain on sale of notes receivable 
Other, net 
Total 

Years Ended March 31,  

2004 

2003 

2002 

28.5 
7.4 
3.1 
10.4 
49.4 

  $ 

  $ 

24.4 
12.2 
5.3 
3.2 
45.1 

  $ 

  $ 

23.8 
6.3 
- 
10.3 
40.4 

$ 

$ 

Equity in earnings is primarily derived from our investment in Nadro and a real estate venture.  In 2004 and 
2003, we sold certain sales-type lease receivables to a third party for $45.4 million and $117.9 million.  Gains on the 
sales of $3.1 million and $5.3 million were recognized from these receivable sales in 2004 and 2003. 

8.  Earnings Per Share 

Basic  earnings  per  share  is  computed  by  dividing  net  income  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  common 
shares outstanding during the reporting period.  Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per 
share except that it reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities or other obligations to issue 
common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are as follows:  

(In millions, except per share amounts) 
Income from continuing operations 
Interest expense on convertible junior subordinated 

debentures, net of tax benefit 

Income from continuing operations – diluted 

$ 

$ 

Years Ended March 31, 

2004 

2003 

2002 

646.5    $ 

562.1    $ 

421.8 

6.2   
652.7    $ 

6.2   
568.3    $ 

6.2 
428.0 

Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
Basic 
Effect of dilutive securities: 

Options to purchase common stock 
Convertible junior subordinated debentures 
Restricted stock 

Diluted 

Earnings per share from continuing operations: 

Basic 
Diluted 

290.0   

2.8   
5.4   
0.4   
298.6   

289.3   

3.5   
5.4   
0.6   
298.8   

285.2 

7.0 
5.4 
0.5 
298.1 

$ 

2.23    $ 
2.19   

1.94    $ 
1.90   

1.48 
1.44 

Approximately 37.8 million, 33.3 million and 27.4 million stock options were excluded from the computations 
of  diluted  net  earnings  per  share  in  2004,  2003  and  2002  as  their  exercise  price  was  higher  than  the  Company’s 
average stock price. 

9.  Receivables, net 

(In millions) 
Customer accounts 
Other 

Total 
Allowances 

Net 

  $ 

  $ 

March 31, 

2004 
4,986.1 
609.5 
5,595.6 
(176.8)   
5,418.8 

  $ 

  $ 

2003 
4,305.9 
574.2 
4,880.1 
(285.4) 
4,594.7 

The  allowances  are  for  uncollectible  accounts,  discounts,  returns,  refunds,  customer  settlements  and  other 
adjustments.  Allowances declined in 2004 primarily due to a $66.4 million reversal of accrued customer settlements 
into operating expenses and a $44.1 million write-off of a previously reserved note receivable. 

10.  Property, Plant and Equipment, net 

(In millions) 
Land 
Building, machinery and equipment 
Total property, plant and equipment 
Accumulated depreciation 
Property, plant and equipment, net 

  $ 

  $ 

69 

March 31, 

2004 

34.2 
1,289.1 
1,323.3 
(723.4)   
599.9 

  $ 

  $ 

2003 

34.3 
1,196.8 
1,231.1 
(637.4) 
593.7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

11.  Goodwill and Other Intangibles 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows: 

(In millions) 
Balance, March 31, 2002 
Goodwill acquired  
Sale of business 
Translation adjustments and other 
Balance, March 31, 2003 
Goodwill acquired 
Translation adjustments 
Balance, March 31, 2004 

Pharmaceutical
Solutions 

$ 

$ 

303.9 
41.8 
(38.6) 
- 
307.1 
32.2 
3.1 
342.4 

$ 

Medical-Surgical
Solutions 
689.4 
- 
- 
(2.9) 
686.5 
1.0 
- 
687.5 

$ 

Information regarding other intangible assets is as follows: 

(In millions) 
Customer lists 
Technology 
Trademarks and other 
Gross intangibles 
Accumulated amortization 
Other intangible assets, net 

  $ 

  $ 

Information 
Solutions 
29.0 
328.1 
- 
3.5 
360.6 
1.7 
13.6 
375.9 

$ 

$ 

Total 

  $  1,022.3 
369.9 
(38.6) 
0.6 
1,354.2 
34.9 
16.7 
  $  1,405.8 

March 31, 

2004 

2003 

92.9 
61.2 
23.8 
177.9 
(93.5)   
84.4 

  $ 

  $ 

89.9 
58.7 
21.5 
170.1 
(74.8) 
95.3 

Amortization expense of other intangible assets was $21.2 million, $18.2 million and $14.4 million for 2004, 
2003 and 2002.  The weighted average remaining amortization period for customer lists, technology, and trademarks 
and  other  intangible  assets  at  March  31,  2004  was:  8  years,  5  years  and  5  years.    Estimated  future  annual 
amortization  expense  of  these  assets  is  as  follows:  $17.9  million,  $12.9  million,  $12.4  million,  $13.4  million  and 
$5.0 million for 2005 through 2009, and $7.9 million thereafter.  At March 31, 2004, there were $14.9 million of 
other intangible assets not subject to amortization.   

12.  Long-Term Debt and Other Financing 

(In millions) 
8.91% Series A Senior Notes due February, 2005 
8.95% Series B Senior Notes due February, 2007 
9.13% Series C Senior Notes due February, 2010 
6.30% Notes due March, 2005 
6.40% Notes due March, 2008 
7.75% Notes due February, 2012 
7.65% Debentures due March, 2027 
5.00% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due June 2027 
ESOP related debt (see Financial Note 15) 
Other 

Total debt 

Less current portion 

Total long-term debt  

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures 

March 31, 

2004 

100.0 
20.0 
215.0 
150.0 
150.0 
398.4 
175.0 
206.2 
52.5 
17.5 
1,484.6 
274.8 
1,209.8 

  $ 

  $ 

2003 

100.0 
20.0 
215.0 
150.0 
150.0 
398.0 
175.0 
206.2 
61.7 
31.2 
1,507.1 
10.2 
1,496.9 

  $ 

  $ 

In  February  1997,  we  issued  5%  Convertible  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  (the  “Debentures”)  in  an 
aggregate principal amount of $206,186,000.  The Debentures, which are included in long-term debt, mature on June 
1, 2027, bear interest at an annual rate of 5%, payable quarterly, and are currently redeemable by us at 101.5% of the 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

principal  amount.    The  Debentures  were  purchased  by  the  Trust,  which  is  wholly  owned  by  the  Company,  with 
proceeds from its issuance of four million shares of preferred securities to the public and 123,720 common securities 
to  us.    These  preferred  securities  are  convertible  at  the  holder’s  option  into  the  Company’s  common  stock.    The 
Debentures represent the sole assets of the Trust. 

Holders of the preferred securities are entitled to cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of 5% of the 
liquidation  amount  of  $50  per  security.    Each  preferred  security  is  convertible  at  the  rate  of  1.3418  shares  of  the 
Company’s  common  stock,  subject  to  adjustment  in  certain  circumstances.    The  preferred  securities  will  be 
redeemed upon repayment of the Debentures and are callable by us on or after March 4, 2000, in whole or in part, 
initially at 103.5% of the liquidation preference per share, and thereafter at prices declining at 0.5% per annum to 
100% of the liquidation preference on and after March 4, 2007 plus, in each case, accumulated, accrued and unpaid 
distributions, if any, to the redemption date. 

We have guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, distributions and other payments due on the preferred securities 
(the  “Guarantee”).    The  Guarantee,  when  taken  together  with  our  obligations  under  the  Debentures,  and  in  the 
indenture  pursuant  to  which  the  Debentures  were  issued,  and  our  obligations  under  the  Amended  and  Restated 
Declaration of Trust governing the subsidiary trust, provides a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts due on 
the preferred securities. 

Other Financing 

We have a 364-day revolving credit agreement that allows for short-term borrowings of up to $650.0 million 
(2003 – $550.0 million) which expires in September 2004, and a $550.0 million three-year revolving credit facility 
which  expires  in  September  2005.    These  facilities  are  primarily  intended  to  support  our  commercial  paper 
borrowings.  We also have a $1.1 billion revolving receivables sale facility, which expires in June 2004.  At March 
31, 2004, there were no amounts utilized under any of these facilities.   

In  January  2002,  we  completed  a  public  offering  of  $400.0  million  of  7.75%  unsecured  notes,  due  in  2012.  
These notes are redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option.  Net proceeds of $397.3 million for the 
issuance of these notes were used to repay term debt and for other general corporate purposes.   

The employee stock ownership program (“ESOP”) debt bears interest at rates ranging from 8.6% fixed rate to 
approximately  89%  of  the  London  Interbank  Offering  Rate  (“LIBOR”)  or  LIBOR  plus  0.4%  and  is  due  in  semi-
annual and annual installments through 2009. 

Our various borrowing facilities and certain long-term debt instruments are subject to covenants.  Our principal 
debt covenant is our debt to capital ratio, which cannot exceed 56.5%.  If we exceed this ratio, repayment of debt 
outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $335.0 million of term debt could be accelerated.  At March 31, 
2004, this ratio was 22.3% and we were in compliance with all other covenants.   

Aggregate annual payments on long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, for the years ending March 
31, are as follows: $274.8 million in 2005, $8.7 million in 2006, $27.2 million in 2007, $157.4 million in 2008, $8.0 
million in 2009 and $1,008.5 million thereafter. 

13.  Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities 

At  March  31,  2004  and  2003,  the  carrying  amounts  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  marketable  securities, 
receivables, drafts and accounts payable, and other liabilities approximated their estimated fair values because of the 
short maturity of these financial instruments.  The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt 
were $1,484.6 million and $1,701.8 million at March 31, 2004 and $1,507.1 million and $1,678.0 million at March 
31, 2003.  The estimated fair value of our long-term debt was determined based on quoted market prices and may 
not be representative of actual values that could have been realized or that will be realized in the future.   

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations.  We 
limit these risks through the use of derivatives such as interest rate swaps and forward contracts.  In accordance with 
our  policy,  derivatives  are  only  used  for  hedging  purposes.    We  do  not  use  derivatives  for  trading  or  speculative 
purposes. 

71 

 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

The net fair value of our derivatives was as follows: 

March 31, 

2004 

2003 

Hedge 
Designation   

Fair Value 

Maturity 

Fair Value 

Maturity 

(In millions) 
Net asset (liability): 
Interest rate swaps 
Foreign currency 

Fair Value 

  $ 

6.4 

exchange contracts 

Fair Value 

Total 

  $ 

(6.4)   

- 

2005 
Various dates
through 2008 

  $ 

11.5 

  $ 

(2.2) 
9.3 

2005 
Various dates
through 2006 

14.  Lease Obligations 

We lease facilities and equipment under both capital and operating leases.  Net assets held under capital leases 

included in property, plant and equipment were $4.5 million and $5.5 million at March 31, 2004 and 2003.   

Future minimum lease payments and sublease rental income for years ending March 31 are: 

(In millions) 
2005 
2006 
2007 
2008 
2009 
Thereafter 

Total minimum lease payments 
Less amounts representing interest 

Present value of minimum lease payments 

Non-cancelable 
Operating 
Leases 

Non-cancelable 
Sublease Rentals  Capital Leases

$ 

$ 

84.7    $ 
73.2   
59.4   
31.9   
23.6   
59.4   
332.2    $ 

4.7 
3.7 
2.6 
0.9 
0.5 
0.9 
13.3 

  $ 

  $ 

1.5 
0.9 
0.3 
0.1 
- 
- 
2.8 
(0.2) 
2.6 

Rental  expense  was  $111.0  million,  $109.6  million  and  $110.1  million  in  2004,  2003  and  2002.    Most  real 
property leases contain renewal options and provisions requiring us to pay property taxes and operating expenses in 
excess of base period amounts. 

15.  Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits 

We  maintain  a  number  of  qualified  and  nonqualified  defined  benefit  pension  plans  and  defined  contribution 
plans  for  eligible  employees.    In  addition,  we  provide  postretirement  benefits,  consisting  of  healthcare  and  life 
insurance benefits, for certain eligible employees.   

U.S. Plans 

Eligible U.S. employees who were employed by the Company prior to December 31, 1996 are covered under 
the Company-sponsored defined benefit retirement plan.  In 1997, we amended this plan to freeze all plan benefits 
based on each employee’s plan compensation and creditable service accrued to that date.  No annual contributions 
have been made by the Company since this plan was frozen.  The benefits for this defined benefit retirement plan are 
based primarily on age of employees at date of retirement, years of service and employees’ pay during the five years 
prior  to  retirement.    We  also  have  nonqualified  supplemental  defined  benefit  plans  for  certain  U.S.  executives, 
which  are  non-funded.    In  addition  to  providing  these  retirement  (“pension”)  benefits,  we  provide  postretirement 
healthcare and life insurance (“other postretirement”) benefits for certain eligible employees.   

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

The net periodic expense (income) for our U.S. pension plans is as follows: 

(In millions) 
Service cost—benefits earned during the year 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 
Expected return on assets 
Amortization of unrecognized loss and prior service costs 
Immediate recognition of pension cost (gain) 
Net periodic pension expense (income) 

$ 

$ 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2002 

2004 

2.5 
24.2 
(23.2)  
11.2 
- 
14.7 

  $ 

  $ 

1.8 
23.8 
(27.6) 
2.6 
1.3 
1.9 

  $ 

  $ 

2.2 
23.7 
(35.6) 
0.8 
(1.0) 
(9.9) 

The  projected  unit  credit  method  is  utilized  for  measuring  net  periodic  pension  expense  (income)  over  the 
employees’ service life for the U.S. pension plans.  Unrecognized actuarial losses exceeding 10% of the projected 
benefit  obligation  and  the  market  value  of  assets  are  amortized  straight-line  over  the  remaining  future  service 
periods.   

The net periodic expense for our U.S. postretirement benefits is as follows: 

(In millions) 
Service cost—benefits earned during the year 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 
Amortization of unrecognized loss and prior service costs 
Net periodic postretirement expense  

$ 

$ 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2002 

2004 

2.1 
11.5 
23.3 
36.9 

  $ 

  $ 

1.3 
11.0 
16.7 
29.0 

  $ 

  $ 

0.8 
9.5 
8.2 
18.5 

Information  regarding  the  changes  in  benefit  obligations  and  plan  assets  for  our  U.S.  pension  and  other 

postretirement benefit plans is as follows:  

(In millions) 
Change in benefit obligations 
Benefit obligation at beginning of 

year 

Service cost 
Interest cost 
Amendments 
Actuarial losses  
Benefit payments 
Benefit obligation at end of year 
Change in plan assets 
Fair value of plan assets at 

beginning of year 

Actual return (loss) on plan assets 
Employer contributions 
Expenses paid 
Benefits paid 
Fair value of plan assets at end of 

year 

Pension 

2004 

2003 

Other Postretirement 

2004 

2003 

$ 

$ 

$ 

363.2 
2.5 
24.2 
1.3 
34.0 
(26.7) 
398.5 

291.3 
60.7 
4.1 
(1.6) 
(26.7) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

331.9 
1.8 
23.8 
- 
33.3 
(27.6) 
363.2 

346.8 
(26.9) 
4.3 
(5.3) 
(27.6) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

178.3 
2.1 
11.5 
- 
39.0 
(17.5) 
213.4 

- 
- 
17.5 
- 
(17.5) 

160.7 
1.3 
11.0 
- 
23.0 
(17.7) 
178.3 

- 
- 
17.7 
- 
(17.7) 

$ 

327.8 

  $ 

291.3 

  $ 

- 

  $ 

- 

The accumulated benefit obligation for our U.S. pension plans was $393.2 million and $360.6 million at March 

31, 2004 and 2003. 

In April 2004, we made several lump sum cash payments totaling $41.6 million from an unfunded U.S. pension 
plan.    In  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  88,  “Employers’  Accounting  for  Settlements  and  Curtailments  of  Defined 
Benefit  Pension  Plans  and  for  Termination  Benefits,”  approximately  $13  million  in  settlement  charges  associated 
with these payments will be expensed in the first quarter of 2005. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

A reconciliation of the U.S. pension and other postretirement plans’ funded status to the net asset (liability) 

recognized is as follows: 

Pension 

Other Postretirement 

(In millions) 
Funded status 
Funded status at end of year 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss 
Unrecognized prior service cost 
Prepaid (liability) benefit cost 
Net amounts recognized in the 
consolidated balance sheets 

Prepaid benefit cost 
Accrued benefit cost 
Intangible asset 
Accumulated other comprehensive 

$ 

$ 

$ 

loss-net of tax of $10.3 and  $8.6   

Net asset (liability) 

$ 

2004 

(70.7) 
100.0 
5.9 
35.2 

96.1 
(94.0) 
5.9 

16.8 
24.8 

2003 

(71.9) 
112.4 
5.3 
45.8 

98.1 
(82.8) 
5.2 

16.7 
37.2 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

2004 

(213.4) 
64.4 
(3.3) 
(152.3) 

- 
(152.3) 
- 

- 
(152.3) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

2003 

(178.3) 
49.8 
(4.3) 
(132.8) 

- 
(132.8) 
- 

- 
(132.8) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

Additional  minimum  liabilities  were  established  to  increase  accrued  benefit  cost,  totaling  $33.0  million  and 
$30.5 million at March 31, 2004 and 2003 for our U.S. unfunded pension plans.  The additional minimum liabilities 
were partially offset by intangible assets of $5.9 million and $5.2 million and charged to other comprehensive loss 
included in the consolidated stockholders’ equity, net of tax. 

Projected benefit obligations relating to our unfunded U.S. pension plans were $99.3 million and $85.3 million 
at March 31, 2004 and 2003.  The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its U.S. pension and other 
postretirement benefit plans.  Pension costs are funded based on the recommendations of independent actuaries and 
other postretirement benefits are funded as claims are paid.  We expect contributions for our U.S. pension plans in 
2005 to increase to approximately $46 million.   

Expected benefit payments for our U.S. pension and other postretirement plans are as follows: 

(In millions) 
2005 
2006 
2007 
2008 
2009 
2010 – 2014 

$

Pension 

Other 
Postretirement

67.1    $ 
25.2   
24.9   
24.8   
24.8   
125.9   

19.3
20.4 
21.1 
21.2 
21.1 
101.1 

Expected  benefit  payments  are  based  on  the  same  assumptions  used  to  measure  the  benefit  obligations  and 

include estimated future employee service. 

The weighted average asset allocations of the investment portfolio for our U.S. pension plans at December 31 

and target allocations are as follows:   

Assets Category 
Domestic equity securities 
International equity securities 
Fixed income 
Other 

Total 

Target 
Allocation 

44%   
15 
34 
7 
100%   

Percentage of Fair Value 
 of Total Plan Assets 

2003 

2002 

44%   
16 
30 
10 
100%   

42% 
15 
32 
11 
100% 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

We develop our expected long-term rate of return assumption based on the historical experience of our portfolio 
and the review of projected returns by asset class on broad, publicly traded equity and fixed-income indices.  Our 
target asset allocation was determined based on the risk tolerance characteristics of the plan and, at times, may be 
adjusted to achieve our overall investment objective.  

Weighted-average  assumptions  used  to  estimate  the  net  periodic  pension  and  other  postretirement  benefit 

expenses (income) and the actuarial present value of benefit obligations were as follows: 

Net periodic expense (income) 
Discount rates 
Rate of increase in compensation 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 
Benefit obligation 
Discount rates 
Rate of increase in compensation 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

6.75%  
4.0 
8.25 

6.00%  
4.0 
8.25 

7.25%  
4.0 
8.25 

6.75%  
4.0 
8.25 

7.50%
4.0 
9.75 

7.25%
4.0 
9.75 

Actuarial  losses  for  the  postretirement  benefit  plan  are  amortized  over  a  three-year  period.    The  assumed 
healthcare cost trends used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation were 14% and 15% for 
prescription drugs, 15% and 11% for medical and 7% and 8% for dental in 2004 and 2003.  The assumed combined 
healthcare  cost  trend  was 11%  in  2002.  The  healthcare cost  trend  rate  assumption  has  a  significant  effect  on  the 
amounts reported.   The  table below presents  the  impact  of  a  one-percentage-point  increase  and  a one-percentage-
point decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate on the total service and interest cost components and on the 
postretirement benefit obligation: 

(In millions) 
One-percentage-point increase 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

Effect on total service and interest cost components 
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation 

$ 

  $ 

1.2 
13.0 

  $ 

0.9 
10.7 

One-percentage-point decrease 

Effect on total service and interest cost components 
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation 

(1.0)  
(11.5)  

(0.8)   
(9.5)   

0.7 
10.3 

(0.6) 
(9.2) 

Other Defined Benefit Plans 

Under  various  U.S.  bargaining  unit  labor  contracts,  we  make  payments  into  multi-employer  pension  plans 
established  for  union  employees.    We  are  liable  for  a  proportionate  part  of  the  plans'  unfunded  vested  benefits 
liabilities upon our withdrawal from the plan, however information regarding the relative position of each employer 
with  respect  to  the  actuarial  present  value  of  accumulated  benefits  and  net  assets  available  for  benefits  is  not 
available.  Contributions to the plans and amounts accrued were not material as of and for the years ended March 31, 
2004, 2003 and 2002.   

We also have defined benefit pension plans for eligible Canadian and United Kingdom employees.  At March 
31, 2004 and 2003, the fair value of assets for these plans amounted to $43.8 million and $30.8 million, and benefit 
obligations  amounted  to  $63.9  million  and  $45.4  million.    For  the  years  ended  March  31,  2004,  2003  and  2002, 
pension expense for these plans was $4.9 million, $3.1 million and $1.6 million. 

Defined Contribution Plans 

We have a contributory profit sharing investment plan (“PSIP”) for U.S. employees not covered by collective 
bargaining  arrangements.    Eligible  employees  may  contribute  up  to  20%  of  their  compensation  to  an  individual 
retirement savings account.  The Company makes matching contributions equal to or greater than 50% of employee 
contributions,  not  to  exceed  3%  of  employee  compensation.    An  additional  annual  matching  contribution  may  be 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

granted  at  the  discretion  of  the  Company.    The  Company  provides  for  the  PSIP  contributions  with  its  common 
shares through its leveraged ESOP. 

The  ESOP  has  purchased  an  aggregate  of  24.3  million  shares  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  since  its 
inception.    These  purchases  have  been  financed  by  10  to  20-year  loans  from  or  guaranteed  by  us.    The  ESOP’s 
outstanding borrowings are reported as long-term debt of the Company and the related receivables from the ESOP 
are shown as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.  The loans are repaid by the ESOP from interest earnings on cash 
balances and common dividends on shares not yet allocated to participants, common dividends on certain allocated 
shares and Company cash contributions.  The ESOP loan maturities and rates are identical to the terms of related 
Company  borrowings.    Stock  is  made  available  from  the  ESOP  based  on  debt  service  payments  on  ESOP 
borrowings.   

Contribution  expense  for  the  PSIP  in  2004,  2003  and  2002  was  all  ESOP  related.    After-tax  ESOP  expense, 
including interest expense on ESOP debt, was $7.8 million, $7.9 million and $9.2 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002.  
Approximately 1.6 million, 1.7 million and 1.5 million shares of common stock were allocated to plan participants 
in  2004,  2003  and  2002.    Through  March  31,  2004,  20.8  million  common  shares  have  been  allocated  to  plan 
participants, resulting in a balance of 3.5 million common shares in the ESOP which have not yet been allocated to 
plan participants.   

16.  Income Taxes  

The provision for income taxes related to continuing operations consists of the following:  

(In millions) 
Current 
Federal 
State and local 
Foreign 

Total current 

Deferred 
Federal 
State and local 
Foreign 

Total deferred 
Total income taxes 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2002 

2004 

$ 

$ 

  $ 

157.4 
25.3 
12.7 
195.4 

  $ 

117.2 
21.1 
24.4 
162.7 

73.9 
1.8 
(6.2)  
69.5 
264.9 

  $ 

116.3 
31.4 
(21.1)   
126.6 
289.3 

  $ 

76.4 
4.4 
22.7 
103.5 

56.4 
17.4 
3.0 
76.8 
180.3 

In  2004,  we  recorded  a  $23.2  million  income  tax  benefit  relating  to  favorable  tax  settlements  with  the  U.S. 
Internal Revenue Service and with various other taxing authorities.  A large portion of this benefit, which was not 
previously  recognized  by  the  Company,  resulted  from  the  filing  of  amended  tax  returns  by  our  subsidiary, 
McKesson Information Solutions (formerly known as HBO & Company (“HBOC”)) for the years ended December 
31, 1998 and 1997. 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

The  reconciliation  between  the  Company’s  effective  tax  rate  on  income  from  continuing  operations  and  the 

statutory tax rate follows: 

Years Ended March 31, 
2003 

2004 

2002 

  $ 

  $ 

(In millions) 
Income taxes at federal statutory rate 
State and local income taxes net of federal tax benefit 
Tax settlements 
Foreign tax rate differential 
Dividends received from foreign investments 
Dispositions of businesses 
Foreign tax credit 
Other—net 

Total income taxes 

$ 

$ 

319.0 
17.6 
6.6 
(63.4)  
1.3 
- 
(0.6)  
(15.6)  
264.9 

298.0 
34.0 
6.6 
(50.0)   
1.3 
- 
(0.7)   
0.1 
289.3 

210.7 
14.0 
20.7 
(18.2) 
44.3 
(40.0) 
(47.0) 
(4.2) 
180.3 

  $ 

  $ 

Foreign pre-tax earnings were $199.7 million, $152.2 million and $125.1 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002.  At 
March  31,  2004,  undistributed  earnings  of  our  foreign  operations  totaling  $406.8  million  were  considered  to  be 
permanently reinvested.  No deferred tax liability has been recognized for the remittance of such earnings to the U.S. 
since  it  is  our  intention  to  utilize  those  earnings  in  the  foreign  operations  as  well  as  to  fund  certain  research  and 
development activities for an indefinite period of time, or to repatriate such earnings when it is tax efficient to do so.  
The determination of the amount of deferred taxes on these earnings is not practicable since the computation would 
depend on a number of factors that cannot be known until a decision to repatriate the earnings is made. 

Deferred tax balances consisted of the following:   

(In millions) 
Assets 
Receivable allowances 
Deferred revenue 
Compensation and benefit-related accruals 
Deferred compensation 
Intangibles 
Investment valuation 
Loss and credit carryforwards  
Other 

Subtotal 

Less: valuation allowance 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Basis differences for inventory valuation and other assets 
Basis difference for fixed assets 
Systems development costs 
Retirement plans  
Other 

Total liabilities 

Net deferred tax liability 

Current net deferred tax liability 
Long term net deferred tax asset (liability) 
Net deferred tax liability 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

77 

March 31, 

2004 

2003 

  $ 

79.2 
176.9 
110.8 
68.4 
51.3 
15.8 
45.8 
65.7 
613.9 
(20.4)   
593.5 

  $ 

(515.9)    $ 
(47.4) 
(115.5) 
(13.8) 
(57.0) 
(749.6) 
(156.1) 

$ 

(187.7) 
31.6 
(156.1) 

$ 

$ 

119.4 
119.4 
86.6 
79.3 
55.1 
7.1 
64.6 
53.0 
584.5 
(24.2) 
560.3 

(455.8) 
(27.6) 
(116.3) 
(39.7) 
(4.6) 
(644.0) 
(83.7) 

(82.9) 
(0.8) 
(83.7) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

We  have  income  tax  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  related  to  our  U.K.  operations  of  approximately  $78 
million,  which  have  an  indefinite  life.    We  also  have  state  income  tax  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  of 
approximately $298 million which will expire at various dates from 2005 through 2024.  We believe that it is more 
likely than not that the benefit from these state net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized.  In recognition 
of this risk, we have provided a full valuation allowance of $20.4 million on the deferred tax assets relating to these 
state  net  operating  loss  carryforwards.    If  this  valuation  allowance  is  reversed  in  the  future,  approximately  $12 
million of the tax benefit realized will be credited to equity. 

17.  Financial Guarantees and Warranties 

Financial Guarantees 

We have agreements with certain of our customers’ financial institutions under which we have guaranteed the 
repurchase of inventory (primarily for our Canadian business) at a discount in the event these customers are unable 
to meet certain obligations to those financial institutions.  Among other requirements, these inventories must be in 
resalable condition.  We have also guaranteed loans, credit facilities and the payment of leases for some customers; 
and we are a secured lender for substantially all of these guarantees.  Customer guarantees range from one to ten 
years  and  were  primarily  provided  to  facilitate  financing  for  certain  strategic  customers.    At  March  31,  2004,  the 
maximum  amounts  of  inventory  repurchase  guarantees  and  other  customer  guarantees  were  $169.1  million  and 
$57.9 million of which a nominal amount had been accrued. 

In  2004,  a  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  customer  filed  for  bankruptcy.    Accordingly,  we  reviewed  all  amounts 
owed to us from this customer as well as financial guarantees provided to third parties in favor of this customer, and 
as a result, we increased our provision for doubtful accounts by $30.0 million.  On April 21, 2004, we converted a 
$40.0 million credit facility guarantee in favor of this customer to a note receivable due from this customer.  This 
secured note bears interest and is repayable in 2007.  In conjunction with this modification, an inventory repurchase 
guarantee in favor of this customer for approximately $12 million has been terminated.   

At  March  31,  2004,  we  had  commitments  of  $12.4  million,  primarily  consisting  of  the  purchase  of  services 

from our equity-held investments, for which no amounts had been accrued.   

The expirations of the above noted financial guarantees and commitments are as follows: $78.7 million, $27.7 

million, $7.0 million, $1.9 million and $1.6 million from 2005 through 2009, and $122.5 million thereafter. 

In addition, our banks and insurance companies have issued $65.4 million of standby letters of credit and surety 
bonds on our behalf in order to meet the security requirements for statutory licenses and permits, court and fiduciary 
obligations, and our workers’ compensation and automotive liability programs.   

Our  software  license  agreements  generally  include  certain  provisions  for  indemnifying  customers  against 
liabilities  if  our  software  products  infringe  on  a  third  party’s  intellectual  property  rights.    To  date,  we  have  not 
incurred  any  material  costs  as  a  result  of  such  indemnification  agreements  and  have  not  accrued  any  liabilities 
related to such obligations.  

In  conjunction  with  certain  transactions,  primarily  divestitures,  we  may  provide  routine  indemnification 
agreements (such as retention of previously existing environmental, tax and employee liabilities) whose terms vary 
in  duration  and  often  are  not  explicitly  defined.    Where  appropriate,  obligations  for  such  indemnifications  are 
recorded as liabilities.  Because the amounts of these indemnification obligations often are not explicitly stated, the 
overall maximum amount of these commitments cannot be reasonably estimated.  Other than obligations recorded as 
liabilities  at  the  time  of  divestiture,  we  have  historically  not  made  significant  payments  as  a  result  of  these 
indemnification provisions.  

Warranties 

In the normal course of business, we provide certain warranties and indemnification protection for our products 
and  services.    For  example,  we  provide  warranties  that  the  pharmaceutical  and  medical-surgical  products  we 
distribute are in compliance with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other applicable laws and regulations.  We 
have received the same warranties from our suppliers, which customarily are the manufacturers of the products.  In 

78 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

addition, we have indemnity obligations to our customers for these products, which have also been provided to us 
from our suppliers, either through express agreement or by operation of law.   

We  also  provide  warranties  regarding  the  performance  of  software  and  automation  products  we  sell.    Our 
liability under these warranties is to bring the product into compliance with previously agreed upon specifications.  
For software products, this may result in additional project costs which are reflected in our estimates used for the 
percentage-of-completion  method  of  accounting  for  software  installation  services  within  these  contracts.    In 
addition,  most  of  our  customers  who  purchase  our  software  and  automation  products  also  purchase  annual 
maintenance agreements.  Revenue from these maintenance agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over 
the  contract  period  and  the  cost  of  servicing  product  warranties  is  charged  to  expense  when  claims  become 
estimable.  Accrued warranty costs were not material to the consolidated balance sheets. 

18.  Other Commitments and Contingent Liabilities  

I.  Accounting Litigation 

Since the announcements by the Company in April, May and July of 1999 that it had determined that certain 
software  sales  transactions  in  its  Information  Solutions  segment,  formerly  HBO  &  Company  (“HBOC”)  and  now 
known as McKesson Information Solutions, Inc., were improperly recorded as revenue and reversed, as of March 
31, 2004, ninety-one lawsuits have been filed against McKesson, HBOC, certain of McKesson’s or HBOC’s current 
or former officers or directors, and other defendants, including Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear Stearns”) and Arthur 
Andersen LLP (“Arthur Andersen”). 

Federal Actions 

Sixty-seven of the above mentioned actions have been filed in Federal Court (the “Federal Actions”).  All of the 
undismissed Federal Actions are pending before the Honorable Ronald M. Whyte of the United States District Court 
(the “Court”) for the Northern District of California.  Federal Actions filed as class actions (excluding the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act (commonly known as “ERISA”) actions discussed below) have been consolidated 
into a single action before Judge Whyte under the caption In re McKesson HBOC, Inc. Securities Litigation (Case 
No. C-99-20743 RMW) (the “Consolidated Action”).  As discussed below, some individual Federal Actions are also 
pending  before  Judge  Whyte.    By  order  dated  December  22,  1999,  Judge  Whyte  appointed  the  New  York  State 
Common  Retirement  Fund  as  lead  plaintiff  (“Lead  Plaintiff”)  in  the  Consolidated  Action  and  approved  Lead 
Plaintiff’s choice of counsel.   

After the filing of three consolidated complaints and multiple motions by multiple defendants challenging the 
sufficiency  of  those  complaints,  the  pleadings  in  the  case  have  been  set  with  respect  to  McKesson  and  HBOC 
(motions for reconsideration of prior dismissal orders issued by Judge Whyte have been filed by Arthur Andersen 
and Bear Stearns and remain pending).  The operative complaint in the Consolidated Action is Lead Plaintiff's Third 
Amended and Consolidated Class Action Complaint (“TAC”), filed on February 15, 2002.  The TAC asserts claims 
against  McKesson  and  HBOC  under  Sections  10(b)  and  14(a)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  (the 
“Exchange Act”) in connection with the events leading to McKesson’s announcements in April, May and July 1999, 
and  names  McKesson,  HBOC,  certain  of  McKesson’s  or  HBOC’s  current  or  former  officers  or  directors,  Arthur 
Andersen and Bear Stearns as defendants.  The Section 10(b) claim alleges that McKesson and HBOC intentionally 
misstated the financial statements of HBOC or McKesson during the class period.  The Section 14(a) claim alleges 
that the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus issued in connection with a McKesson subsidiary and HBOC merger (the 
“Merger”)  contained  material  misstatements  or  omissions  and  that  McKesson  was  negligent  in  issuing  the  Joint 
Proxy Statement/Prospectus with those misstatements.  The TAC seeks unspecified damages and attorneys' fees. 

By order dated January 6, 2003, Judge Whyte dismissed with prejudice the claim against the Company under 
Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act to the extent that claim was based on McKesson’s conduct or statements prior to 
the January 12, 1999 merger transaction with HBOC, denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the claim against the 
Company under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and ordered the Company to answer the TAC.  Following the 
Court's January 6, 2003 orders, the following claims remained against McKesson and HBOC:  (i) a claim against 
HBOC  under  Section  10(b)  of  the  Exchange  Act;  (ii)  a  claim  against  McKesson  under  Section  10(b)  of  the 
Exchange  Act  with  respect  to  post-Merger  conduct  only;  and  (iii)  a  Section  14(a)  claim  against  McKesson,  as 
described in the Court's January 6, 2003 order.  The Company and HBOC filed answers to the TAC on March 7, 

79 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

2003, denying that the Company or HBOC had violated Section 10(b) or Section 14(a) or that they had any liability 
to the alleged plaintiff class.   

On March 7, 2003, Lead Plaintiff filed a motion for class certification seeking to certify a class consisting of (i) 
all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded securities of HBOC during the period 
from  January  20,  1997,  through  and  including  January  12,  1999,  (ii)  all  persons  and  entities  who  purchased  or 
otherwise acquired publicly traded securities or call options, or who sold put options, of McKesson during the period 
from October 18, 1998 through and including April 27, 1999, and (iii) all persons and entities who held McKesson 
common stock on November 27, 1998 and still held those shares on January 12, 1999.  Lead Plaintiff seeks an order 
appointing  three  representatives  of  this  proposed  class:    (i)  the  Lead  Plaintiff;  (ii)  City  of  Miami  Beach  General 
Employees  Retirement  Trust;  and  (iii)  an  individual  investor  named  Donald  Chiert.    The  hearing  on  class 
certification  was  held  on  March  12,  2004.    Judge  Whyte  has  not  yet  ruled  on  the  motion  for  class  certification.  
McKesson and HBOC have commenced the production of documents in the Consolidated Action and, pursuant to 
pretrial orders, merits depositions have begun.  A trial is scheduled to commence on September 12, 2005. 

On January 11, 2001, McKesson filed an action in the Court for the Northern District of California against the 
Lead Plaintiff in the Consolidated Action individually, and as a representative of a defendant class of former HBOC 
shareholders who exchanged HBOC shares for Company shares in the January 12, 1999 Merger, McKesson HBOC, 
Inc.  v.  New  York  State  Common  Retirement  Fund,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C01-20021  RMW)  (the  “Complaint  and 
Counterclaim”).  In the Complaint and Counterclaim, the Company alleged that the exchanged HBOC shares were 
artificially inflated due to undisclosed accounting improprieties, and that the exchange ratio therefore provided more 
shares to former HBOC shareholders than would have otherwise been the case.  In this action, the Company sought 
to recover the “unjust enrichment” received by those HBOC shareholders who exchanged more than 20,000 HBOC 
shares  in  the Merger.    The Company  did  not  allege  any  wrongdoing by  these  shareholders.    On  January  9, 2002, 
Judge Whyte dismissed the Complaint and Counterclaim with prejudice.  The Company appealed this ruling to the 
United  States  Court  of  Appeals  for  the  Ninth  Circuit  (“Ninth  Circuit”).    On  August  13,  2003,  the  Ninth  Circuit 
affirmed Judge Whyte's January 9, 2002, order dismissing the Complaint and Counterclaim. 

By order dated February 7, 2000, Judge Whyte coordinated with the Consolidated Action a class action alleging 
claims  under  ERISA,  Chang  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C-00-20030  RMW),  and  a  shareholder 
derivative action that had been filed in the Northern District of California under the caption Cohen v. McCall et al. 
(Case No. C-99-20916 RMW) with the Consolidated Action.  There has been no further significant activity in the 
Cohen action.  By stipulated order dated April 30, 2003, no defendant or nominal defendant is required to respond to 
the  complaint  until  notified  by  the  plaintiff  in  writing  with  thirty  days  notice  or  upon  further  order  of  the  Court.  
Recent developments in the Chang action are discussed below. 

Several  individual  actions  have  also  been  filed  in,  or  transferred  to,  the  Northern  District  of  California.    On 
November 12, 1999, an individual shareholder action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California 
under the caption Jacobs v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (C-99-21192 RMW).  The Plaintiffs in Jacobs are former 
HBOC shareholders who acquired their HBOC shares pursuant to a registration statement issued by HBOC prior to 
the Merger, and then exchanged their HBOC shares for McKesson shares in the Merger.  Plaintiffs in Jacobs assert 
claims  under  federal  and  state  securities  laws  and  a  claim  for  common  law  fraud.    Plaintiffs  seek  unspecified 
compensatory  and  punitive  damages,  and  costs  of  suit,  including  attorneys’  fees.    Judge  Whyte’s  December  22, 
1999,  order  consolidated  the  Jacobs  action  with  the  Consolidated  Action.    With  leave  of  the  Court,  the  Jacobs 
plaintiffs amended their complaint, but the action remains stayed.  On September 21, 2000 the plaintiffs in Jacobs v. 
McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  filed  a  new  individual  action  entitled  Jacobs  v.  HBO  &  Company  (Case  No.  C-00-20974 
RMW).  The Jacobs complaint names only HBOC as a defendant and asserts claims under Sections 11 and 12(2) of 
the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and various state law causes of action.  The complaint seeks 
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, and costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  This action has been 
assigned to Judge Whyte and consolidated with the Consolidated Action. 

On December 16, 1999, an individual action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California under 
the caption Bea v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al.  (Case No. C-00-20072 RMW).  Plaintiffs in Bea filed an Amended 
Complaint on March 9, 2000.  Plaintiffs in Bea allege that they acquired the Company’s common stock prior to the 
Merger and sold that stock after the April 1999 announcement at a loss.  The Bea complaint asserts claims under the 
federal and state securities laws, and a claim for fraud.  Plaintiffs seek (i) unspecified compensatory and punitive 
damages, and (ii) reasonable costs and expenses of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  Bea is currently stayed and has 
been consolidated with the Consolidated Action. 

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On January 7, 2000, an individual action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California under the 
caption Cater v. McKesson Corporation et al. (Case No. C-00-20327 RMW).  The plaintiff is Terry Cater, a former 
employee of the Company who alleges that his options and restricted stock were substantially devalued as a result of 
the Merger and the subsequent drop in the Company’s stock price.  Plaintiff in Cater asserts claims under the federal 
securities  laws  as  well  as  claims  for  breach  of  good faith and fair  dealing,  fraud  and negligent  misrepresentation.  
Plaintiff  seeks  (i)  unspecified  special  damages  in  excess  of  $50,000,  (ii)  unspecified  general  damages,  (iii) 
prejudgment interest and (iv) reasonable attorneys’ fees.  The case has been assigned to Judge Whyte and the parties 
stipulated to a stay pending the outcome of the motions to dismiss in the Consolidated Action.   

On February 7, 2000, an action entitled Baker v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (Case No. CV 00-0188) was filed 
in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.  The same plaintiffs then filed a virtually identical 
parallel  action  in  Louisiana  State  Court,  Rapides  Parish,  under  the  caption  Baker  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.,  et  al 
(filed as Case No. 199018; Case No. CV-00-0522 after removal to federal court).  Plaintiffs, former shareholders of 
Automated Prescription Services, allege claims under the federal securities laws, and claims for breach of fiduciary 
duty, misrepresentation and detrimental reliance.  The state court action was removed to federal court and the two 
Baker  cases  have  been  transferred  to  the  Northern  District  of  California  and  consolidated  with  the  Consolidated 
Action. 

On June 17, 2003, plaintiffs in the Baker cases filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) against McKesson, 
HBOC, various current or former officers or directors of McKesson or HBOC, Arthur Andersen and Bear Stearns.  
The SAC asserts claims against McKesson and HBOC under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, for common law 
breach of fiduciary duty (McKesson only), misrepresentation, and detrimental reliance.  The SAC seeks damages in 
an  unspecified  amount.    By  stipulation  of  the  parties  and  order  of  the  Court,  the  Baker  action  is  stayed  and  the 
defendants are not currently required to respond to the SAC. 

On July 27, 2001, an action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California captioned Pacha, et al. 
v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. (Case No. C01-20713 PVT).  The Pacha plaintiffs allege that they were individual 
stockholders  of  McKesson  stock  on  November  27,  1998,  and  assert  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  violated  Section 
14(a) of the Exchange Act, and that McKesson, aided by HBOC, breached its fiduciary duties to plaintiffs by issuing 
a joint proxy statement in connection with the Merger which allegedly contained false and misleading statements or 
omissions.    Plaintiffs  name  as  defendants  McKesson,  HBOC,  certain  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of 
McKesson or HBOC, Bear Stearns and Arthur Andersen.  The Pacha complaint seeks an award of compensatory and 
punitive  damages  in  an  unspecified  amount  and  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  the  action  including  reasonable 
attorneys' fees.  On November 13, 2001, Judge Whyte ordered Pacha consolidated with the Consolidated Action and 
stayed all further proceedings. 

Hess v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al., an action filed in state court in Arizona (Case No. C-20003862) on behalf 
of former shareholders of Ephrata Diamond Spring Water Company (“Ephrata”) who acquired McKesson shares in 
exchange for their Ephrata stock when McKesson acquired Ephrata in January 1999, was removed to federal court, 
transferred to the Northern District of California and consolidated with the Consolidated Action.  Judge Whyte also 
stayed all further proceedings in Hess except for the filing of an amended complaint, which was filed on or about 
December 15, 2001 (the “Hess Amended Complaint”).  The Hess Amended Complaint generally incorporates the 
allegations and claims asserted in the Consolidated Action and also includes various common law causes of action 
relating  to  McKesson’s  acquisition  of  Ephrata.    The  Hess  Amended  Complaint  seeks  compensatory,  punitive, 
general and special damages in an unspecified amount, rescission of the agreement with Ephrata, attorneys' fees and 
costs.  The Company is not currently required to respond to the Hess Amended Complaint. 

On  June  28,  2001,  the  Chang  plaintiffs  filed  an  amended  ERISA  class  action  complaint  against  McKesson, 
HBOC,  certain  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of  McKesson  or  HBOC,  and  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank 
(“Chase”).  The amended complaint in Chang generally alleged that the defendants breached their ERISA fiduciary 
duties in connection with administering the McKesson HBOC Profit Sharing Investment Plan (the “PSI Plan”) and 
the  HBOC  Profit  Sharing  and  Savings  Plan  (the  “HBOC  Plan”).    Plaintiffs  in  Chang  are  former  employees  of 
McKesson  and  participants  in  the  PSI  Plan,  and  purportedly  seek  relief  under  sections  404-405,  409  and  502  of 
ERISA on behalf of a class defined to include participants in the PSI Plan, including participants under the HBOC 
Plan,  who  maintained  an  account  balance  under  the  PSI  Plan  as  of  April  27,  1999,  who  had  not  received  a 
distribution from the PSI Plan as of April 27, 1999, and who suffered losses as a result of the alleged breaches of 
duty. 

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On February 7, 2002, a related ERISA class action was filed in the Court for the Northern District of California 
captioned  Adams  v.  McKesson  Information  Solutions,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  C-02-06  85  JCS).    Plaintiff  in  Adams 
filed  a  first  amended  complaint  on  March  15,  2002,  against  HBOC,  McKesson,  the  HBO  &  Company  Board  of 
Directors, HBO & Company Profit Sharing and Savings Plan Administrative Committee, HBO & Company Profit 
Sharing  and  Savings  Plan  Investment  Committee,  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  Profit  Sharing  Investment  Plan  (as  a 
nominal  defendant  only),  and  certain  current  or  former  officers,  directors  or  employees  of  McKesson  or  HBOC.  
Plaintiff  alleges  that  he  was  a  participant  in  the  HBOC  Plan  and  generally  alleges  that  McKesson  and  HBOC 
breached their ERISA fiduciary duties to the HBOC Plan and its participants or engaged in transactions prohibited 
by ERISA.  Plaintiff asserts his claims on behalf of a putative class defined to include all participants in the HBOC 
Plan and their beneficiaries for whose benefit the HBOC Plan acquired HBOC stock from March 31, 1996 to April 
1,  1999.    Plaintiff  seeks  (i)  a  judgment  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  breached  their  fiduciary  duties,  (ii)  an  order 
requiring defendants to restore to the plan all losses caused by these purported breaches of fiduciary duty, and (iii) 
reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.  

On June 3, 2002, Judge Whyte consolidated the Adams ERISA class action with the Chang ERISA class action.  
By  order  dated  September  30,  2002  Judge  Whyte  dismissed  the  First  Amended  Complaint  in  the  Chang  action.  
Judge Whyte granted plaintiffs in Chang and Adams leave to file a consolidated and amended complaint under the 
caption In re McKesson HBOC, Inc. ERISA Litigation (Northern District of California No. C-02-0685 RMW) (the 
“ERISA Action”).  On December 31, 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint (the “CAC”) in the 
ERISA  Action.    The  CAC  generally  alleges  that  McKesson  and  HBOC  breached  their  fiduciary  duties  under 
ERISA, and that HBOC engaged in transactions prohibited by ERISA.  Plaintiffs further allege that McKesson and 
HBOC  are  liable  under  principles  of  respondeat  superior  and  agency  for  alleged  breaches  of  fiduciary  duties  by 
other  defendants.    The  CAC  seeks  to  have  the  defendants  restore  to  the  HBOC  Plan  and  McKesson  Plan  losses 
allegedly caused by their alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, equitable relief, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.  On 
February 28, 2003, McKesson filed a motion to dismiss the CAC and HBOC filed motions to dismiss portions of the 
CAC.  Judge Whyte has not yet issued a ruling on these motions. 

State Actions 

Twenty-four  actions  have  also  been  filed  in  various  state  courts  in  California,  Colorado,  Delaware,  Georgia, 
Louisiana and Pennsylvania (the “State Actions”).  Like the Consolidated Action, the State Actions generally allege 
misconduct by McKesson or HBOC (and others) in connection with the events leading to McKesson’s decision to 
restate HBOC’s financial statements. 

Two  of  the  State  Actions  are  shareholder  derivative  actions:    Ash,  et al.  v.  McCall,  et  al.,  (Case No.  17132), 
filed in the Delaware Chancery Court and Mitchell v. McCall et al. (Case. No. 304415), filed in California Superior 
Court, City and County of San Francisco.  McKesson is named as a nominal defendant only as no relief is sought 
against  it  in  these  actions.    Plaintiffs  in  Mitchell  agreed  to  defer  any  action by  the  court  on  McKesson’s  motions 
pending resolution of McKesson’s dismissal motion in Ash.  On September 15, 2000, in the Ash case, the Court of 
Chancery dismissed all causes of action with leave to re-plead certain of the dismissed claims, and on January 22, 
2001, the Ash plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint.  On October 30, 2003, the Court granted the plaintiffs 
leave  to  file  a  Fourth  Amended  Complaint  and  changed  the  caption  of  the  case  to  Saito,  et.  al.  v.  McCall  (Civil 
Action  No.  17132).    On  December  15,  2003,  the  defendants  filed  motions  to  dismiss  the  Fourth  Amended 
Complaint.  A hearing has been scheduled for May 18, 2004, to consider the defendants' motions to dismiss. 

Five  of  the  State  Actions  are  class  actions.    Three  of  these  were  filed  in  the  Delaware  Court  of  Chancery: 
Derdiger v. Tallman et al. (Civil Action No. 17276), Carroll v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. (Civil Action No. 17454) and 
Kelly v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Civil Action No. 17282).  Two additional actions were filed in the Delaware 
Superior Court: Edmondson v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. (Civil Action No. 99-951) and Caravetta v. McKesson HBOC, 
Inc. (Civil Action No. 00C-04-214 WTQ).  The Carroll and Kelly actions have been voluntarily dismissed without 
prejudice.  McKesson removed Edmondson to federal court in Delaware and filed a motion to dismiss, which was 
granted by the federal court on March 5, 2002.  McKesson filed motions to stay the Derdiger and Caravetta actions 
in  favor  of  proceedings  in  the  federal  Consolidated  Action,  which  were  granted.    On  December  20,  2001,  the 
plaintiff in Derdiger moved to vacate the stay of that action.  In a series of rulings dated September 9, 2002, October 
11, 2002 and October 18, 2002, the court denied plaintiff’s motion to vacate the stay with respect to any class claims 
but granted plaintiff leave to proceed with his individual claims.  Thereafter, the plaintiff filed a motion for partial 
summary  judgment,  and  the  former  directors  of  Access  Health,  Inc.,  who  are  also  defendants,  filed  a  motion  to 
dismiss the claims asserted against them.  The parties have asked the court to defer consideration of those motions 

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while they pursue settlement discussions.  On August 4, 2003, the court issued an order dismissing the class action 
claims brought on behalf of persons other than the named plaintiff Howard Derdiger without prejudice in favor of 
the  prior  pending  Consolidated  Action  pending  in  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  California.  
The  parties  thereafter  dismissed  plaintiff  Howard  Derdiger's  individual  claims  with  prejudice  pursuant  to  a 
settlement. 

Several of the State Actions are individual actions which have been filed in various state courts.  Five of these 
were filed in the California Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco: Yurick v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et 
al.  (Case  No.  303857),  The  State  of  Oregon  by  and  through  the  Oregon  Public  Employees  Retirement  Board  v. 
McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 307619), Utah State Retirement Board v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case 
No. 311269), Minnesota State Board of Investment v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 311747), and Merrill 
Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund et al. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. CGC-02-405792).  Oregon, Utah, 
and  Minnesota  and  Merrill  Lynch  have  been  consolidated  before  the  Honorable  Donald  S.  Mitchell  under  the 
Oregon caption. 

In Yurick, the trial court sustained McKesson’s demurrer to the original complaint without leave to amend with 
respect  to  all  causes  of  action  except  plaintiffs’  claims  for  common  law  fraud  and  negligent  misrepresentation, 
which remain in the case.  The complaint in Yurick seeks compensatory, general, special, punitive and consequential 
damages  in  an  unspecified  amount,  prejudgment  interest,  costs  and  reasonable  attorneys'  fees.    On  December  27, 
2002,  the  Yurick  action  was  assigned  to  Judge  Mitchell,  the  presiding  judge  in  the  Oregon,  Minnesota,  Utah  and 
Merrill Lynch actions.  

The  Oregon,  Utah  and  Minnesota  actions  referenced  above  are  individual  securities  actions  filed  in  the 
California Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco by the out-of-state pension funds for each of 
those  States  and  Colorado.    On  October  16,  2002,  after  motion  practice  to  challenge  the  sufficiency  of  the 
complaints  in  Utah,  Minnesota  and  Oregon,  which  resulted  in  the  dismissal  of  a  number  of  claims  that  had  been 
asserted against McKesson and HBOC, and the consolidation of those actions under the caption The State of Oregon 
Public Employees Retirement Board v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Master File No. 307619), plaintiffs in Oregon, 
Minnesota and Utah filed a consolidated and amended complaint (the “CAAC”) which consolidated the remaining 
claims in those actions.  On October 11, 2002, plaintiffs in Merrill Lynch filed an amended complaint in the Merrill 
Lynch action. 

On March 13, 2003, Judge Mitchell overruled McKesson’s and HBOC’s demurrers to and motions to strike the 
CAAC in Oregon, Minnesota and Utah.  On the same date, Judge Mitchell sustained in part and overruled in part 
McKesson’s and HBOC's demurrers, and denied McKesson’s and HBOC's motions to strike the amended complaint 
in  Merrill  Lynch.    Following  those  orders,  the  following  claims  remain  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  in  the 
consolidated Oregon action: (i) under California law, for violation of California Corporations Code § 25000/25400, 
for violation of California Business and Professions Code § 17200 (against HBOC only), and for common law fraud 
and negligent  misrepresentation,  and  (ii)  under  Georgia  law,  claims  for  conspiracy  under  Georgia's  RICO  statute, 
and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation,  conspiracy,  and  aiding  and  abetting.    The  CAAC  seeks 
compensatory, general, punitive and special damages, pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest and reasonable 
attorneys'  fees.    Following  the  Court's  March  13,  2003,  orders  and  the  Court's  June  18,  2003,  order  granting  the 
plaintiffs'  motion  for  reconsideration,  the  following  claims  remain  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  in  the  Merrill 
Lynch action: (i) under California law, for violation of California Corporations Code § 25000/25400, for violation of 
California  Business  and  Professions  Code  §  17200  (against  HBOC  only),  and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent 
misrepresentation,  conspiracy  and  aiding  and  abetting,  (ii)  under  New  Jersey  law,  for  violation  of  New  Jersey's 
RICO  statute  and  conspiracy  to  violate  New  Jersey's  RICO  statute,  and  (iii)  under  Georgia  law,  for  violation  of 
Georgia's securities laws and violation of Georgia's RICO statutes. 

On  June  27,  2003,  plaintiffs  in  the  Merrill  Lynch  action  filed  a  Third  Amended  Complaint  (the  “TAAC”) 
against  McKesson,  HBOC,  various  current  or  former  officers  or  directors  of  McKesson  or  HBOC,  and  Arthur 
Andersen.  Like the prior complaints in the Merrill Lynch action, the TAAC generally alleges that the defendants are 
liable  under  various  statutory  and  common  law  claims  in  connection  with  the  events  leading  to  McKesson's 
announcements  in  April,  May  and  July  of  1999.    The  TAAC  asserts  claims  against  McKesson  and  HBOC  under 
California Corporations Code § 25400(d)/25500, California Business and Profession Code § 17200 (HBOC only), 
common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy and aiding and abetting, New Jersey RICO (McKesson 
only), conspiracy to violate New Jersey RICO, Georgia's securities laws, and conspiracy to violate Georgia RICO.  

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The TAAC seeks an award of restitution, compensatory damages and treble damages in an unspecified amount, and 
costs and expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees. 

On  July  25,  2003,  McKesson  and  HBOC  answered  the  Consolidated  Complaint  in  Oregon,  Minnesota  and 
Utah, generally denying the allegations and any liability to plaintiffs.  Also on July 25, 2003, McKesson filed cross-
claims  against  all  plaintiffs  named  in  the  Consolidated  Complaint,  alleging  that  if  such  parties  exchanged  HBOC 
shares in the Merger that were artificially inflated, as alleged by those parties in the Consolidated Complaint, then 
the exchange ratio for the Merger provided more shares to plaintiffs than would have otherwise been the case, and 
more shares than was just.  The Company's cross-claims against the plaintiffs seek judgments requiring plaintiffs to 
disgorge  to  the  Company  any  “unjust  enrichment.”    On  January  9,  2004,  the  court  heard  arguments  on  plaintiffs' 
motion to dismiss McKesson's cross-claims.  The court has not yet issued a ruling on that motion. 

On September 26, 2003 the Merrill Lynch Plaintiffs filed a Fourth Amended Complaint (the “FAC”).  The FAC 
adds  Bear  Stearns,  General  Electric  Capital  Corporation,  Inc.  (“GECC”),  Computer  Associates  International,  Inc. 
(“CAI”),  and  WebMD  Corp.  (“WebMD”)  as  defendants.    The  claims  against  GECC  allege  that  GECC  aided  and 
abetted  the  alleged  fraud  at  HBOC,  conspired  to  commit  fraud  and  made  negligent  misrepresentations.    On 
December 30, 2003, McKesson and HBOC answered the FAC, generally denying the allegations and any liability to 
plaintiffs.  Judge Mitchell has scheduled a trial date of November 28, 2005, in the consolidated Oregon, Minnesota, 
Utah and Merrill Lynch actions. 

Several individual actions have been filed in various state courts outside of California.  Several of these cases 
have been filed in Georgia state courts.  On October 24, 2000, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton 
County,  captioned  Suffolk  Partners  Limited  Partnership  et  al.  v.  McKesson  HBOC,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No. 
00VS010469A).  Plaintiffs in the Suffolk action allegedly purchased the Company’s common stock after the Merger 
but before the April 1999 announcement.  Plaintiffs assert claims under Georgia’s securities and racketeering laws, 
and  for  common  law  fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation,  conspiracy,  and  aiding  and  abetting.    The  Suffolk  action 
names as defendants the Company, HBOC, and certain of the Company’s or HBOC’s current or former officers or 
directors, and Arthur Andersen.  Like the Consolidated Action, the claims in the Suffolk action generally arise out of 
the  January  12,  1999  Merger,  and  the  Company’s  announcement  of  the  need  to  restate  its  financial  statements.  
Plaintiffs  seek  (i)  compensatory  damages  of  approximately  $22  million,  as  well  as  general,  rescissory,  special, 
punitive,  exemplary,  and  with  respect  to  certain  causes  of  action,  treble  damages,  and  (ii)  prejudgment  and  post-
judgment  interest  and  costs  of  suit,  including  reasonable  attorneys’  and  experts’  fees.    The  Company  and  HBOC 
separately answered the complaint on January 9, 2001.  The Company and HBOC moved for an order staying the 
Suffolk action in favor of the Consolidated Action on January 10, 2001.  On August 2, 2001, the Court granted the 
motions to stay.  Subsequently, however, in May 2003, the Court lifted the stay and directed the parties to coordinate 
discovery  with  that  in  the  Consolidated  Action  and  several  other  actions.    Following  the  lifting  of  the  stay,  all 
Defendants filed motions to dismiss on various grounds, all of which were denied, except as to Defendant Pulido, 
whom Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed.  Discovery is now proceeding in coordination with the Consolidated Action.   

On November 1, 2000, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton County, captioned Curran Partners, 
L.P. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al. (Case No. 00 VS 010801).  Plaintiff in the Curran action allegedly purchased 
the Company’s common stock after the Merger but before the April 1999 announcement.  The claims in the Curran 
action are identical to the claims in the Suffolk action.  Plaintiff seeks (i) compensatory damages of approximately 
$3 million, as well as general, rescissory, special, punitive, exemplary, and with respect to certain causes of action, 
treble damages, and (ii) prejudgment and post-judgment interest and costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ 
and experts’ fees.  The Curran action names as defendants the Company, HBOC, and certain of the Company’s or 
HBOC’s  current  or  former  officers  or  directors,  and  Arthur  Andersen.    The  Company  and  HBOC  separately 
answered  the  Complaint  on  January  9,  2001.    The  Company  and  HBOC  moved  for  an  order  staying  the  Curran 
action in favor of the Consolidated Action on January 10, 2001.  The Court granted the motions to stay on August 
22, 2001.  However, in September 2003, the court lifted the stay and transferred the action to the judge presiding 
over the previously-reported action captioned Suffolk Partners L.P. et al v. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et al, (Georgia 
State  Court,  Fulton  County  No.  00VS010469A).    Discovery  is  now  proceeding  in  coordination  with  the 
Consolidated Action.   

On  December  12,  2001,  an  action  was  filed  in  Georgia  State  Court,  Fulton  County,  captioned  Drake  v. 
McKesson  Corp.,  et  al.  (Case  No.  01VS026303A).    Plaintiff  in  Drake  is  a  former  HBOC  employee  seeking  lost 
commissions as well as asserting claims under Georgia’s securities and racketeering laws, and various common law 
causes of action.  Plaintiff seeks (i) approximately $300,000 in unpaid commissions, (ii) unspecified compensatory, 

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consequential, actual, exemplary, and punitive damages, and (iii) prejudgment and post-judgment interest and costs 
of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.  The Drake action names as defendants the Company, HBOC, Albert 
Bergonzi and Jay Gilbertson.  The parties entered into a Consent Order for Partial Stay on February 27, 2002, which 
stayed  Plaintiff’s  Georgia  securities  law,  fraud  and  RICO  claims.    On  March  4,  2002,  McKesson  and  McKesson 
Information  Solutions  Inc.  separately  filed  their  answers.    Following  discovery,  the  case  was  settled  and  Plaintiff 
filed a dismissal with prejudice on March 5, 2004. 

Two  similar  Georgia  actions  have  been  consolidated  for  purposes  of  discovery  and  may  be  consolidated  for 
purposes of  trial.   On  January 31, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia Superior Court, Fulton County, under the 
caption Holcombe T. Green and HTG Corp. v. McKesson, Inc. et al. (Case No. 2002-CV-48407).  Plaintiffs in the 
Green action are former HBOC shareholders.  Plaintiff Holcombe Green was also a former officer, chairman and 
director of HBOC.  On February 6, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia Superior Court, Fulton County, under the 
caption  Hall  Family  Investments,  L.P.  v.  McKesson,  Inc.  et  al.  (Case  No.  2002-CV-48612).    Plaintiff  in  the  Hall 
action is a former HBOC shareholder.  One of the limited partners of the Hall Plaintiff is Nancy Hall Green, the wife 
of  Holcombe  Green.    The  complaints  in  the  Green  and  Hall  actions  are  substantially  identical.    In  each  action, 
Plaintiffs asserted claims for common law fraud and fraudulent conveyance and named as defendants the Company, 
HBOC,  Albert  Bergonzi  and  Jay  Gilbertson.    In  each  action,  plaintiffs  seek  compensatory  damages  in  excess  of 
$100 million, as well as unspecified general, special and punitive damages, and costs of suit, including attorneys’ 
fees.  The Company and HBOC filed their respective answers and counterclaims on April 22, 2002.  HBOC also 
filed  a  third  party  complaint  against  Holcombe  Green  for  indemnification.    The  Company  and  HBOC  also  filed 
motions to stay and dismiss.  The Court denied the motions to stay, and partially granted the motions to dismiss, 
dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims for fraudulent conveyance.  Plaintiffs moved to dismiss the counterclaims filed by the 
Company and HBOC, and the Court denied those motions.  Discovery is under way and will proceed for some time.  
The  trial  court  granted  Plaintiffs’  motion  to  compel  the  production  of  certain  work  product  materials,  and  the 
Georgia  Court  of  Appeals  affirmed.    The  Company  has  filed  a  petition  for  discretionary  review  in  the  Georgia 
Supreme Court, and Plaintiffs have filed an opposition to that petition.   

On May 8, 2002, an action was filed in Georgia State Court, Fulton County, under the caption James Gilbert v. 
McKesson Corporation, et al. (Case No. 02VS032502C).  Plaintiff, formerly the general counsel of HBOC, alleges 
he  was  a  holder  of  options  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Company’s  stock.    The  action  names  as  defendants  the 
Company, HBOC, Albert Bergonzi and Jay Gilbertson.  Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages of approximately $2 
million,  as well  as unspecified general,  special  and  punitive damages,  and  costs of  suit,  including  attorneys’  fees.  
On June 24, 2002, the Company and HBOC filed their respective answers, motions to stay, and motions to dismiss.  
On November 26, 2002, the court granted the motions to stay, and this case is stayed until final disposition of the 
Consolidated Action.   

The  United  States  Attorney’s  Office  for  the  Northern  District  of  California  (“USAO”)  and  the  SEC  are 
conducting investigations into the matters leading to the restatement.  On May 15, 2000, the USAO filed a one-count 
information  against  former  HBOC  officer,  Dominick  DeRosa,  charging  Mr.  DeRosa  with  aiding  and  abetting 
securities fraud, and on May 15, 2000, Mr. DeRosa entered a guilty plea to that charge.  On September 28, 2000, an 
indictment was unsealed in the Northern District of California against former HBOC officer, Jay P. Gilbertson, and 
former Company and HBOC officer, Albert J. Bergonzi, United States v. Bergonzi, et al. (Case No. CR-00-0505).  
On that same date, a civil complaint was filed by the SEC against Mr. Gilbertson, Mr. Bergonzi and Mr. DeRosa 
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Gilbertson, et al. (Case No. C-00-3570).  Mr. DeRosa has settled with the 
SEC without admitting or denying the substantive allegations of the complaint.  On January 10, 2001, the grand jury 
returned  a  superseding  indictment  in  the  Northern  District  of  California  against  Messrs.  Gilbertson  and  Bergonzi, 
United States v. Bergonzi, et al. (Case No. CR-00-0505), and on June 4, 2003, a second superseding indictment was 
unsealed  which  added  new  charges  against  Mr.  Bergonzi  and  which  also  charged  both  former  Chairman  of  the 
Board  of  HBOC  and  the  Company,  Charles  W.  McCall,  and  former  HBOC  General  Counsel,  Jay  Lapine,  with 
various securities law violations.  Also on June 4, 2003, the USAO announced the filing of agreements with Messrs. 
Gilbertson,  DeRosa  and  former  HBOC  Senior  Vice  President  for  Finance,  Timothy  Heyerdahl,  to  plead  guilty  to 
various securities law violations (Case Nos. CR-00-0505, CR-00-0213 and CR-01-0002, respectively).  The USAO 
has informed the Company that it is not now nor has it ever been a subject or target of the USAO's investigation. 

On  September  27,  2001,  the  SEC  filed  securities  fraud  charges  against  six  former  HBOC  officers  and 
employees  including  Messrs.  Heyerdahl  and  Lapine.    Simultaneous  with  the  filing  of  the  Commission’s  civil 
complaints, four of the six defendants settled the claims brought against them by, among other things, consenting, 
without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaints, to entry of permanent injunctions against all of the 

85 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

alleged  violations,  and  agreed  to  pay  civil  penalties  in  various  amounts.    On  June  4,  2003,  the  SEC  filed  a  civil 
complaint against Mr. McCall for various securities law violations (Case No. C-03-2603).  On January 3, 2002, the 
Company was notified in writing by the SEC that its investigation has been terminated as to the Company, and that 
no enforcement action has been recommended to the Commission.   

On April 24, 2003, Gilbertson entered into a written plea agreement with the USAO in which he pled guilty to 
conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements in a document filed with the SEC.  On October 
16, 2003, Bergonzi entered into a written plea agreement with the USAO in which he pled guilty to securities fraud 
and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.  On March 30, 2004, the USAO filed a three count indictment against 
former McKesson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Richard H. Hawkins, charging him with 
conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, securities fraud, and making false statements to an accountant.  On 
March 31, 2004, Mr. Hawkins pled not guilty to the charges.   

We do not believe it is feasible to predict or determine the outcome or resolution of the accounting litigation 
proceedings, or to estimate the amounts of, or potential range of, loss with respect to those proceedings.  In addition, 
the  timing  of  the  final  resolution  of  these  proceedings  is  uncertain.    The  range  of  possible  resolutions  of  these 
proceedings could include judgments against the Company or settlements that could require substantial payments by 
the Company, which could have a material adverse impact on McKesson’s financial position, results of operations 
and cash flows.  

II.  Other Litigation and Claims  

In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various claims, 
other  pending  and  potential  legal  actions  for  product  liability  and  other  damages,  investigations  relating  to 
governmental  laws  and  regulations  and  other  matters  arising  out  of  the  normal  conduct  of  our  business.    These 
include: 

Product Liability Litigation and Other Claims 

Our  subsidiary,  McKesson  Medical-Surgical  Inc.,  is  one  of  many  defendants  in  approximately  24  cases  in 
which plaintiffs claim they were injured due to exposure, over many years, to latex proteins in gloves manufactured 
by numerous manufacturers and distributed by a number of distributors, including McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc.  
Efforts to resolve tenders of defense to its suppliers are continuing and final agreements have been reached with two 
major suppliers.  McKesson Medical Surgical Inc.'s insurers are providing some coverage for these cases, subject to 
applicable deductibles. 

We, along with more than 100 other companies, have been named in a lawsuit brought in 2000 by the Lemelson 
Medical, Educational & Research Foundation (the “Foundation”) alleging that we and our subsidiaries are infringing 
seven (7) U.S. patents relating to common bar code scanning technology and its use for the automated management 
and control of product inventory, warehousing, distribution and point-of-sale transactions.  Due to the pendency of 
earlier litigation brought against the Foundation by the manufacturers of bar code devices attacking the validity of 
the patents at issue, the court stayed the suit against us until the conclusion of the earlier case, including any appeals 
that  may  be  taken.    The  trial  in  this  earlier  case  concluded  in  January 2003  and  the  court  subsequently  ruled  that 
each  of  the  patents  at  issue  was  invalid  due  to  prosecutorial  laches.    An  appeal  by  the  Foundation  to  the  Federal 
Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  is  anticipated.    While  the  suit  against  the  Company  was  stayed,  the  U.S.  Patent  and 
Trademark  Office  granted  petitions  for  reexamination  of  three  of  the  seven  patents  asserted  by  the  Foundation 
against the Company.  The reexamination will determine, among other things, whether these patents have expired.  
Each  of  the  remaining  four  patents  in  the  action  has  already  expired  by  its  own  terms,  or  by  the  Foundation 
disclaiming the remaining portion of the patent’s life. 

We,  through  our  former  McKesson  Chemical  Company  division,  are  named  in  approximately  66  cases 
involving  the  alleged  distribution  of  asbestos.    These  cases  typically  involve  multiple  plaintiffs  claiming  personal 
injuries  and  unspecified  compensatory  and  punitive  damages  as  a  result  of  exposure  to  asbestos-containing 
materials.    Pursuant  to  an  indemnification  agreement  signed  at  the  time  of  the  1986  sale  of  McKesson  Chemical 
Company  to  what  is  now  called  Univar  USA  Inc.  (“Univar”),  we  have  tendered  each  of  these  actions  to  Univar.  
Univar  is  currently  defending  us  but  has  raised  questions  concerning  the  extent  of  its  obligations  under  the 
indemnification agreement.  Discussions with Univar on that subject are ongoing.  We have not paid or incurred any 
costs or expenses in connection with these actions to date; and we continue to look to Univar for defense and full 

86 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

indemnification  of  these  claims.    In  addition,  we  believe  that,  if  necessary,  a  portion  of  these  claims  would  be 
covered by insurance. 

On January 21, 2004, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) filed a bid protest and a 
request for injunctive relief, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation vs. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (Action 
No. 04-00063), in the United States Court of Federal Claims in connection with the December 31, 2003 award by 
the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (the “VA”) of Prime Vendor status to the Company for the supply 
of  pharmaceutical  products  to  the  VA  commencing  April  1,  2004.    We  successfully  moved  to  intervene  in  this 
action.  On February 9, 2004, the parties stipulated and the Court ordered a delay in the commencement date of the 
VA contract to a date 45 days following the Court's decision on the merits of the AmerisourceBergen protest.  On 
March 31, 2004, the Court issued its decision rejecting AmerisourceBergen's bid protest and ordering the dismissal 
of  the  complaint.    Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Court's  February  9th  order,  the  Company’s  performance  under  the 
Prime Vendor contract commenced on May 10, 2004. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois (“USAOI”) is conducting an industry-wide civil 
and  criminal  investigation  into  the  marketing,  sale  and  Medicare  reimbursement  of  enteral  nutritional  products 
(“Products”).    The  Products  are  sold  by  the  extended  care  business  conducted  by  our  subsidiary,  McKesson 
Medical-Surgical  Minnesota  Inc.  (“Minnesota  Supply”).    The  USAOI  has  indicated  that  the  Company  and  two 
employees  of  Minnesota  Supply  are  subjects  of  the  investigation.    In  July  of  2003,  the  USAOI  announced 
indictments of the two employees on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy, and violation of the anti-kickback statute.  
The  employees  were  subsequently  placed  on  leave  pending  resolution  of  the  charges.    We  continue  to  cooperate 
with the investigation. 

On May 4, 2004, a judgment was entered against the Company in Charlene Roby vs. McKesson HBOC, Inc. et 
al,  (Action  No.  CV01-573),  pending  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Yolo  County,  California  on  claims  by  a  former 
employee  for  wrongful  termination,  disability  discrimination  and  harassment  and  against  a  Company  employee 
defendant on the harassment claim only.  The jury awarded plaintiff $3.5 million in compensatory damages against 
the  Company  and  $0.5  million  in  compensatory  damages  against  the  individual  employee.    Punitive  damages  of 
$15.0 million were assessed against the Company.  The Company will seek reduction or reversal of this judgment 
through  post-trial  motions,  and  through  an  appeal,  if  necessary.    If  these  efforts  are  not  successful,  this  judgment 
could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Environmental Matters 

Primarily as a result of the operation of our former chemical businesses, which were fully divested by 1987, we 
are  involved  in  various  matters  pursuant  to  environmental  laws  and  regulations.    We  have  received  claims  and 
demands from governmental agencies relating to investigative and remedial action purportedly required to address 
environmental  conditions  alleged  to  exist  at  six  sites  where  we,  or  entities  acquired  by  us,  formerly  conducted 
operations; and we, by administrative order or otherwise, have agreed to take certain actions at those sites, including 
soil  and  groundwater  remediation.    In  addition,  we  were  recently  one  of  multiple  recipients  of  a  New  Jersey 
Department  of  Environmental  Protection  Agency directive  and  a  separate  United  States  Environmental  Protection 
Agency  directive  relating  to  potential  natural  resources  damages  (“NRD”)  associated  with  one  of  these  six  sites.  
Although  the  Company’s  potential  allocation  under  either  directive  cannot  be  determined  at  this  time,  we  have 
agreed to participate with a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) group in the funding of an NRD assessment, the 
costs of which are reflected in the aggregate estimates set forth below. 

Based on a determination by our environmental staff, in consultation with outside environmental specialists and 
counsel,  the  current  estimate  of  reasonably  possible  remediation  costs  for  these  six  sites  is  $12.9  million,  net  of 
approximately  $2  million  that  third  parties  have  agreed  to  pay  in  settlement  or  we  expect,  based  either  on 
agreements or nonrefundable contributions which are ongoing, to be contributed by third parties.  The $12.9 million 
is expected to be paid out between April 2004 and March of 2028.  Our liability for these environmental matters has 
been accrued in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.   

In  addition,  we  have  been  designated  as  a  PRP  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response 
Compensation  and  Liability  Act  of  1980  (as  amended,  the  “Superfund”  law  or  its  state  law  equivalent)  for 
environmental assessment and cleanup costs as the result of our alleged disposal of hazardous substances at 26 sites.  
With respect to each of these sites, numerous other PRPs have similarly been designated and, while the current state 
of  the  law  potentially  imposes  joint  and  several  liability  upon  PRPs,  as  a  practical  matter  costs  of  these  sites  are 

87 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

typically  shared  with  other  PRPs.    Our  estimated  liability  at  those  26  sites  is  approximately  $2  million.    The 
aggregate  settlements  and  costs  paid  by  us  in  Superfund  matters  to  date  have  not  been  significant.    The 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets include this environmental liability. 

The  potential  costs  to  us  related  to  environmental  matters  are  uncertain  due  to  such  factors  as:  the  unknown 
magnitude of possible pollution and cleanup costs; the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and 
regulations and their interpretations; the timing, varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies; 
the determination of our liability in proportion to that of other PRPs; and the extent, if any, to which such costs are 
recoverable from insurance or other parties. 

While it is not possible to determine with certainty the ultimate outcome of any of the litigation or governmental 
proceedings discussed under this section II, “Other Litigation and Claims”, we believe based on current knowledge 
and  the  advice  of  our  counsel  that,  except  as  otherwise  noted,  such  litigation  and  proceedings  will  not  have  a 
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

III.  Contingency 

In  2002,  we  entered  into  a  $500  million,  ten  year  contract  with  the  National  Health  Services  Information 
Authority  (“NHS”),  an  organization  of  the  British  government  charged  with  the  responsibility  of  delivering 
healthcare in England and Wales.  The contract engages the Company to develop, implement and operate a human 
resources and payroll system at more than 600 NHS locations. 

To date, there have been delays to this contract which have caused increased costs and a decrease in the amount 
of time in which we can earn revenues.  These delays have adversely impacted the contract's projected profitability 
and no material revenue has yet been recognized on this contract.  As of March 31, 2004, our consolidated balance 
sheet  includes an  investment  of  approximately  $76  million  in net  assets,  consisting of  prepaid  expenses,  software 
and capital assets, net of cash received, related to this contract.  While we believe it is likely that we can deliver and 
operate a satisfactory system and recover our investment in this contract, we are currently negotiating with the NHS 
to amend certain key terms and conditions in the contract, and there is no certainty that we will agree on an updated 
implementation  plan.    We  expect  this  negotiation  to  be  completed  in  the  second  half  of  calendar  year  2004.  
However, the timing and the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain and failure to reach agreement on an updated 
implementation  plan  and  amend  certain  key  contract  terms  and  conditions,  and/or  further  delays  in  the 
implementation  may  result  in  losses  that  could  be  material.    Even  if  we  agree  on  amended  contract  terms  and 
conditions  and  an  updated  implementation  plan,  it  is  possible  that  the  terms  of  that  agreement  may  result  in  the 
impairment of our net assets related to the contract as well as substantial penalties and charges, which could have a 
material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

19.  Stockholders’ Equity 

Each  share  of  the  Company’s  outstanding  common  stock  is  permitted  one  vote  on  proposals  presented  to 
stockholders  and  is  entitled  to  share  equally  in  any  dividends  declared  by  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors 
(“Board”).    In  July  2002,  our  stockholders  approved  an  amendment  to  the  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  to 
increase authorized common shares from 400 million to 800 million shares.   

In  2001,  the  Board  approved  a plan  to repurchase up  to $250.0  million  of  common  stock  of  the  Company  in 
open  market  or  private  transactions.    In  2004,  2003  and  2002,  we  repurchased  3.9  million,  0.9  million  and  1.3 
million shares for $115.1 million, $25.0 million and $44.2 million.  Since the inception of this plan, we repurchased 
8.3 million shares for $249.9 million.  In 2004, the Board approved a new plan to repurchase up to $250.0 million of 
additional  common  stock  of  the  Company.    Under  this  plan,  we  have  repurchased  1.4  million  shares  for  $41.5 
million  in  2004.    The  repurchased  shares  will  be  used  to  support  the  Company’s  stock-based  employee 
compensation plans and for other general corporate purposes.   

We  have  several  equity  compensation  plans  (stock  option,  restricted  stock  and  stock  purchase  plans)  for  the 
benefit of certain officers, directors and employees.  As a result of acquisitions, we also have 18 other option plans 
under which no further awards have been made since the date of acquisition.  Under the active equity compensation 
plans, we were authorized to grant up to 117.3 million shares as of March 31, 2004, of which 94.1 million shares 
have been granted. 

88 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

Options  are  generally  granted  for  the  purchase  of  shares  of  common  stock  at  an  exercise  price  not  less  than 
market value on the date of grant.  Most options vest over four years, subject to continuous employment and certain 
other  conditions.    Options  generally  expire  ten  years  after  the  grant  date.    In  2004,  we  accelerated  the  vesting  of 
substantially all unvested stock options outstanding with prices equal to or greater than $28.20, or substantially all of 
the total unvested stock options outstanding. 

The following is a summary of options outstanding at March 31, 2004: 

Range of Exercise 
Prices 

$  0.01  -  $  13.67   
$  13.68  -  $  27.35   
$  27.36  -  $  41.02   
$  41.03  -  $  54.70   
$  54.71  -  $  68.37   
$  68.38  -  $  82.04   
$  82.05  -  $  95.72   
$  95.73  -  $  123.07   
$ 123.08  -  $  136.74   

Options  Outstanding 
Weighted-
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life (Years) 

Number of 
Options 
Outstanding At 
Year End 

Options Exercisable 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Number of 
Options 
Exercisable at 
Year End 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise Price 

228,705 
8,076,032 
40,866,211 
1,993,035 
731,483 
12,197,382 
388,032 
373,334 
373,334 
65,227,548 

3 
5 
7 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
6 

$

6.04 
21.32 
32.55 
47.61 
58.25 
72.94 
90.75 
113.50 
136.74 
40.77 

198,705 
7,673,814 
40,103,466 
1,993,035 
731,483 
12,197,382 
388,032 
373,334 
373,334 
64,032,585 

$ 

6.95 
21.18 
32.60 
47.61 
58.25 
72.94 
90.80 
113.50 
136.74 
41.01 

Expiration dates range from April 2004 to February 2014. 

The following is a summary of changes in the options for the stock option plans: 

2004 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise Price

2003 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise Price

Shares 

2002 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise Price

Shares 

Shares 

Outstanding at 

beginning of year 

63,938,789    $ 
7,030,785     
Granted 
(3,010,288)    
Exercised 
Canceled 
(2,731,738)    
Outstanding at year end  65,227,548     

40.36
33.77
19.92
35.68
40.77

63,198,584  $
7,061,927 
(2,774,642)  
(3,547,080)  
63,938,789 

40.39
30.70
17.28
39.80
40.36

60,732,305    $ 
9,592,339     
(3,660,236)    
(3,465,824)    
63,198,584     

39.36 
38.25 
16.73 
41.15 
40.39 

The weighted average fair values of the options granted during 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $13.83, $12.27 and 
$12.22  per  share.    Fair  values  of  the  options  were  estimated  at  the  date  of  grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  option-
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: 

Expected stock price volatility 
Expected dividend yield 
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life (in years) 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2004 

2002 

34.3% 
0.59% 
3.8% 
7 

34.5% 
0.59% 
3.4% 
7 

31.5%
0.52%
3.8%
6 

The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) under which 11.1 million shares have been 
authorized for issuance.  Eligible employees may purchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common 
stock  at  a  discount  of  up  to  15%  of  the  market  value  at  certain  plan-defined  dates.    In  2004,  2003  and  2002,  1.3 
million, 1.5 million and 1.6 million shares were issued under the ESPP.  At March 31, 2004, 5.0 million shares were 
available for issuance under the ESPP. 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

20.  Related Party Balances and Transactions 

Notes receivable outstanding from certain of our current and former officers and senior managers totaled $62.7 
million and $95.1 million at March 31, 2004 and 2003.  These notes related to purchases of common stock under our 
various employee stock purchase plans.  The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 2.7% to 8.0% and were due at 
various dates through February 2004.  Interest income on these notes is recognized only to the extent that cash is 
received.    These  notes,  which  are  included  in  other  capital  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets,  were  issued  for 
amounts equal to the market value of the stock on the date of the purchase and are full recourse to the borrower.  At 
March 31, 2004, the value of the underlying stock collateral was $30.4 million.  The collectability of these notes is 
evaluated on an ongoing basis and, as a result, in 2004 we recorded a $21.0 million charge for notes from the former 
officers  and  employees.    Other  receivable  balances  held  with  related  parties,  consisting  of  loans  made  to  certain 
officers and senior managers, at March 31, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $2.6 million and $3.7 million.  

In 2004, 2003 and 2002 we incurred approximately $8 million, $9 million and $8 million of rental expense from 
an equity-held investment.  In addition, in 2004 and 2003 we purchased $3.0 million of services per year from an 
equity-held investment. 

21.  Segments of Business 

Our  segments  include  Pharmaceutical  Solutions,  Medical-Surgical  Solutions  and  Information  Solutions.    We 
evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on operating profit before interest expense, income taxes 
and  results  from  discontinued  operations.    Our  Corporate  segment  includes  expenses  associated  with  Corporate 
functions  and  projects,  certain  employee  benefits,  and  the  results  of  certain  joint  venture  investments.    Corporate 
expenses  are  allocated  to  the  operating  segments  to  the  extent  that  these  items  can  be  directly  attributable  to  the 
segment.  

90 

 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Continued) 

Financial information relating to the reportable operating segments is presented below: 

(In millions) 
Revenues 
Pharmaceutical Solutions (1) 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 

Software 
Services 
Hardware 

Total Information Solutions 
Total 

Operating profit 
Pharmaceutical Solutions (2) 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 

Total 

Interest 
Corporate 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 

Depreciation and amortization (3) 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 
Corporate 
Total 

Expenditures for long-lived assets (4) 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 
Corporate 
Total 

Segment assets, at year end 
Pharmaceutical Solutions 
Medical-Surgical Solutions 
Information Solutions 

Total 
Corporate 
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 
Other 

Total 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2002 

2004 

$ 

65,620.7 
2,707.5 

  $ 

53,238.4 
2,743.4 

  $ 

46,258.1 
2,726.0 

229.7 
832.2 
116.0 
1,177.9 
69,506.1 

  $ 

238.2 
799.8 
101.0 
1,139.0 
57,120.8 

  $ 

182.6 
736.1 
85.3 
1,004.0 
49,988.1 

  $ 

  $ 

932.7 
91.6 
190.4 
1,214.7 
(120.2)  
(183.1)  
911.4 

987.9 
65.4 
94.4 
1,147.7 
(128.1)   
(168.2)   
851.4 

  $ 

  $ 

108.3 
20.3 
77.2 
26.3 
232.1 

46.4 
8.3 
17.9 
42.4 
115.0 

12,268.4 
1,466.4 
1,263.5 
14,998.3 

717.8 
524.1 
16,240.2 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

96.8 
18.8 
65.6 
22.5 
203.7 

54.0 
17.8 
19.5 
24.7 
116.0 

10,837.7 
1,450.2 
1,089.8 
13,377.7 

533.5 
449.9 
14,361.1 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

802.3 
64.7 
21.7 
888.7 
(125.9) 
(160.7) 
602.1 

104.5 
17.3 
75.6 
9.1 
206.5 

57.7 
31.2 
33.4 
8.5 
130.8 

10,178.4 
1,485.6 
674.8 
12,338.8 

562.9 
432.2 
13,333.9 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(1)  In addition to the distribution of pharmaceutical and healthcare products, our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment includes the 
manufacture  and  sale  of  automated  pharmaceutical  dispensing  systems  for  hospitals  and  retail  pharmacies,  medical 
management and patient and payor services, consulting and outsourcing to pharmacies and distribution of first-aid products.  
Revenues from these products and services were not a material component of segment revenues in 2004, 2003 and 2002.   

(2)  Includes $7.4 million, $12.2 million and $6.3 million of earnings from equity investments in 2004, 2003 and 2002. 
(3)  Includes amortization of intangibles, capitalized software held for sale and capitalized software for internal use. 
(4)  Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment. 

In 2004, we received $21.7 million as our share of a settlement of an antitrust class action brought against the 
manufacturer of a cardiac drug.  This settlement was recorded as a credit in cost of sales within our consolidated 
statements of operations in our Pharmaceutical Solutions segment. 

In April 2004, we reorganized certain businesses into different operating segments.  As a result, we will report 

on this new organizational structure on a retroactive basis beginning in the first quarter of 2005. 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

FINANCIAL NOTES (Concluded) 

Revenues and long-lived assets by geographic areas were as follows: 

(In millions) 
Revenues 
United States 
International 

Total 

Long-lived assets, at year end 
United States 
International 

Total 

Years Ended March 31,  
2003 

2002 

2004 

64,856.7 
4,649.4 
69,506.1 

  $ 

  $ 

53,544.8 
3,576.0 
57,120.8 

  $ 

  $ 

46,966.7 
3,021.4 
49,988.1 

535.2 
64.7 
599.9 

  $ 

  $ 

538.8 
54.9 
593.7 

  $ 

  $ 

542.3 
51.2 
593.5 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

International operations primarily consist of our Canadian pharmaceutical and healthcare products distribution 
business  and  our  investment  in  Nadro  for  our  Pharmaceutical  Solutions  segment.    Our  Information  Solutions 
business has sales offices in the United Kingdom and Europe.  We also have a software manufacturing facility in 
Ireland.  Net revenues were attributed to geographic areas based on the customers’ shipment locations. 

22.  Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) 

(In millions, except per share amounts) 
Fiscal 2004 
Revenues  
Gross profit  
Net income 

Earnings per common share 
  Diluted 
  Basic 

Cash dividends per common share  
Market prices per common share 
  High 
  Low 

Fiscal 2003 
Revenues  
Gross profit  
Income (loss) after taxes  
  Continuing operations 
  Discontinued operations 

  Total 

Earnings (loss) per common share  
  Diluted  
  Continuing operations 
  Discontinued operations 

  Total 

  Basic 
  Continuing operations 
  Discontinued operations 

  Total 

Cash dividends per common share  
Market prices per common share 
  High 
  Low 

First 
Quarter  

Second 
Quarter 

Third 
Quarter 

Fourth 
Quarter  

  Year  

$  16,524.2   $  16,810.1    $  18,231.9    $  17,939.9    $  69,506.1 
3,248.2 
646.5 

811.7   
156.5   

755.5   
120.2   

894.5   
214.2   

786.5  
155.6  

$ 
$ 

$ 

$ 

0.53   $ 
0.54   $ 

0.06   $ 

37.1   $ 
22.6  

0.53    $ 
0.54    $ 

0.06    $ 

36.7    $ 
31.9   

0.41    $ 
0.41    $ 

0.06    $ 

34.8    $ 
28.1   

0.73    $ 
0.74    $ 

0.06    $ 

32.0    $ 
27.0   

2.19 
2.23 

0.24 

37.1 
22.6 

$  13,623.2   $  13,690.3    $  14,921.0    $  14,886.3    $  57,120.8 
3,102.5 

739.3   

727.6   

884.8   

750.8  

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

117.8   $ 
(0.5) 
117.3   $ 

128.4    $ 
(3.6)  
124.8    $ 

134.3    $ 

- 

134.3    $ 

181.6    $ 
(2.6)  
179.0    $ 

562.1 
(6.7) 
555.4 

0.39   $ 

- 

0.39   $ 

0.41   $ 

- 

0.41   $ 

0.43    $ 
(0.01)  
0.42    $ 

0.44    $ 
(0.01)  
0.43    $ 

0.46    $ 

- 

0.46    $ 

0.46    $ 

- 

0.46    $ 

0.62    $ 
(0.01)  
0.61    $ 

0.63    $ 
(0.01)  
0.62    $ 

1.90 
(0.02) 
1.88 

1.94 
(0.02) 
1.92 

0.06   $ 

0.06    $ 

0.06    $ 

0.06    $ 

0.24 

42.09   $ 
32.25  

35.25    $ 
27.23   

31.99    $ 
24.99   

29.78    $ 
22.75   

42.09 
22.75 

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

CORPORATE OFFICERS 

John H. Hammergren 
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer, 
McKesson Corporation 

John H. Hammergren 
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer 

Wayne A. Budd 
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, 
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. 

Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 

Alton F. Irby III  
Partner,  
Tricorn Partners LLP  

M. Christine Jacobs  
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
Theragenics Corporation 

Marie L. Knowles  
Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer, Retired,  
Atlantic Richfield Company 

David M. Lawrence M.D. 
Chairman Emeritus,  
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and 
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals 

Robert W. Matschullat  
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Retired 
The Seagram Company Ltd. 

James V. Napier  
Chairman of the Board, Retired,  
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.  

Jane E. Shaw, Ph.D.  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  
Aerogen, Inc.  

Richard F. Syron, Ph.D.  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  
Freddie Mac 

Paul C. Julian  
Executive Vice President  
Group President  

Pamela J. Pure  
Executive Vice President  
President, Provider Technologies  

Paul E. Kirincic    
Executive Vice President, Human Resources  

Nicholas A. Loiacono  
Vice President and Treasurer 

Ivan D. Meyerson  
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, 
and Secretary  

Marc E. Owen 
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy  
and Business Development  

Nigel A. Rees  
Vice President and Controller  

Cheryl T. Smith 
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Information Officer  

Heidi E. Yodowitz 
Senior Vice President, 
Chief Financial Officer, McKesson  
Supply Solutions 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
McKESSON CORPORATION 

CORPORATE INFORMATION 

Common Stock 

McKesson  Corporation  common  stock  is  listed  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  and  the  Pacific  Exchange 

(ticker symbol MCK) and is quoted in the daily stock tables carried by most newspapers. 

Stockholder Information  

The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, 11 East, New York, NY  10286 acts as transfer agent, registrar, 
dividend-paying  agent  and  dividend  reinvestment  plan  agent  for  McKesson  Corporation  stock  and  maintains  all 
registered stockholder records for the Company.  For information about McKesson Corporation stock or to request 
replacement  of  lost  dividend  checks,  stock  certificates,  1099’s,  or  to  have  your  dividend  check  deposited  directly 
into your checking or savings account, stockholders may call The Bank of New York’s telephone response center at 
(800) 524-4458, weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ET.  For the hearing impaired call (888) 269-5221.  The Bank of 
New  York  also  has  a  Web  site:  http://stock.bankofny.com  –  that  stockholders  may  use  24  hours  a  day  to  request 
account information.  An Interactive Voice Response System is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 
524-4458. 

Dividends and Dividend Reinvestment Plan 

Dividends  are generally  paid  on  the  first  business  day of  January, April,  July  and  October  to  stockholders of 
record  on  the  first  day  of  the  preceding  month.    McKesson  Corporation’s  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  offers 
stockholders  the  opportunity  to  reinvest  dividends  in  common  stock  and  to  purchase  additional  common  stock 
without paying brokerage commissions or other service fees, and to have their stock certificates held in safekeeping.  
For more information, or to request an enrollment form, call The Bank of New York’s telephone response center at 
(866) 216-0306. 

Annual Meeting 

McKesson Corporation’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m., PDT, on Wednesday July 

28, 2004, at the Nob Hill Masonic Center, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, California. 

94 

 
 
RULE 13a-14(a) AND RULE 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 

Exhibit 31.1 

I, John H. Hammergren, certify that:  

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of McKesson Corporation; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were 
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual 
report is being prepared;  

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by 
this report based on such evaluation; and  

c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the  registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and  

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over  financial  reporting,  to  the  registrant’s  auditors  and  the  audit  committee  of  registrant’s  board  of  directors  (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a)  All  significant  deficiencies  and  material  weaknesses  in  the design or  operation of internal  controls  over  financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and  

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.  

Date: June 10, 2004 

/s/ John H. Hammergren 
John H. Hammergren 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
RULE 13a-14(a) AND RULE 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 

Exhibit 31.2 

I, Jeffrey C. Campbell, certify that:  

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of McKesson Corporation; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were 
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual 
report is being prepared;  

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by 
this report based on such evaluation; and  

c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the  registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and  

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over  financial  reporting,  to  the  registrant’s  auditors  and  the  audit  committee  of  registrant’s  board  of  directors  (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a)  All  significant  deficiencies  and  material  weaknesses  in  the design or  operation of internal  controls  over  financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and  

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.  

Date: June 10, 2004 

/s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18 U.S.C SECTION 1350, 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 

Exhibit 32 

In connection with the annual  report of McKesson Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended 
March  31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the 
undersigned, in the capacities and on the dates indicated below, each hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, 
as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of their knowledge: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934; and 

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and 
results of operations of the Company. 

/s/ John H. Hammergren 
John H. Hammergren 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
June 10, 2004 

/s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Jeffrey C. Campbell 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
June 10, 2004 

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not, 
except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for the purposes 
of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to McKesson Corporation 
and will  be retained by  the  Company  and  furnished  to  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or its  staff  upon 
request.