Medibank has acquired McKesson Asia-Pacific to extend its healthcare management capability.

McKesson Asia-Pacific provides phone- and web-based healthcare services, including telephone triage, health and wellness advice, chronic disease management and mental health services in Australia and New Zealand. It was founded in 1995 and purchased by McKesson in 2000.

Medibank, which is an Australia health fund with 3.7 million customers, is an existing McKesson Asia-Pacific customer. George Savvides, Medibank’s private managing director, called the acquisition a "natural extension" of the long-term relationship between Medibank and McKesson Asia-Pacific.

“We have worked with McKesson over the past five years and this has allowed us to see first-hand the strengths of the McKesson business. We believe that an acquisition has significant benefits for both organizations and our customers and we are committed to delivering the quality services currently offered by McKesson,” Savvides said.

McKesson has delivered multiple health management programs including on behalf of Medibank, and Savvides said that joining the two companies would create opportunities for customer access to McKesson’s programs, as well as for business growth.