NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of AmerisourceBergen Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Company") as of the dates and for the periods indicated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q, and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals, except as otherwise disclosed herein) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position as of
December 31, 2017
and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended
December 31, 2017
and
2016
have been included. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but which are not required for interim reporting purposes, have been omitted. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2017
.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimated amounts. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform to the current year presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 - "Revenue Recognition" and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard's core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 was originally scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Principal versus Agent Considerations" ("ASU 2016-08"), which clarifies the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing" ("ASU 2016-10"), which amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10 with ASU 2014-09. Entities are permitted to adopt the standards as early as the original public entity effective date of ASU 2014-09, and either full or modified retrospective application is required.
The Company continues to evaluate the impact of adopting ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2014-09. It has conducted a preliminary assessment of the Pharmaceutical Distribution Services reportable segment and the operating segments in Other and does not expect adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. For example, the majority of the Pharmaceutical Distribution Services reportable segment's revenue is generated from sales of pharmaceutical products, which will continue to be recognized when control of goods is transferred to the customer. This preliminary assessment is subject to change prior to adoption. Additionally, the Company expects to adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and it is still evaluating the method of adoption.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 aims to increase transparency and comparability across organizations by requiring lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized on the balance sheet as well as key information to be disclosed regarding lease arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities are permitted to adopt the standard early, and a modified retrospective application is required. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this new accounting standard will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company is continuing to
evaluate the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance and, therefore, cannot reasonably estimate the impact on the results of operations or cash flows at this time.
As of
December 31, 2017
, there were no other recently-issued accounting standards that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon their adoption.
Note 2
. Acquisitions
NEVSCO
In December 2017, the Company acquired Northeast Veterinary Supply Company ("NEVSCO") for
$70.0 million
in cash, subject to a final working capital adjustment. NEVSCO is an independent, regional distributor of veterinary pharmaceuticals and medical supplies serving primarily the northeast region of the United States and is expected to strengthen MWI Animal Health's ("MWI") support of independent veterinary practices and provide even greater value and care to current and future animal health customers. NEVSCO has been included within the MWI operating segment.
The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The preliminary allocation is pending the finalization of the appraisals of intangible assets and the finalization of working capital account balances. There can be no assurance that the estimated amounts recorded will represent the final purchase price allocation. The purchase price currently exceeds the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired by
$30.4 million
, which was allocated to goodwill. The estimated fair value of accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable and accrued expenses acquired was
$7.9 million
,
$6.7 million
, and
$4.7 million
, respectively. The estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired of
$29.8 million
primarily consisted of customer relationships, which the Company is amortizing over the estimated useful life of
15 years
. Goodwill and intangibles resulting from the acquisition are expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
H.D. Smith
As previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company entered into a definitive agreement on November 20, 2017 to acquire H.D. Smith Holding Company ("H.D. Smith"), the largest independent pharmaceutical wholesaler in the United States. On January 2, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of H.D. Smith for
$815.0 million
in cash, subject to a final working capital adjustment. The Company funded the acquisition through the issuance of new long-term debt (see
Note 5
).
H.D. Smith is the largest privately held national wholesaler, which provides full-line distribution of brand, generic, and specialty drugs, as well as high-value services and solutions for manufacturers and healthcare providers. H.D. Smith customers include retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, long-term care facilities, institutional/hospital systems, and independent physicians and clinics.
The acquisition strengthens the Company's core business, expands and enhances its strategic scale in pharmaceutical distribution, and expands the Company's support for independent community pharmacies.
Profarma and Specialty Joint Venture
As previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company held a minority ownership interest in Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A. ("Profarma"), a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Brazil, and an ownership interest in a joint venture with Profarma to provide specialty distribution and services to the Brazilian marketplace. The Company has accounted for these interests as equity method investments, which have been reported in Other Assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. In January 2018, the Company invested an additional
$62.5 million
in Profarma and an additional
$15.6 million
in the joint venture to increase its ownership interests. The additional investments give the Company controlling ownership interests in Profarma and the joint venture. The Company will consolidate the financial results of these investments in future reporting periods.
Note 3
. Income Taxes
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act") was signed into law. The 2017 Tax Act includes a broad range of tax reform provisions affecting businesses, including lower corporate tax rates, changes in business deductions, and international tax provisions. In response to the 2017 Tax Act, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have
the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act. SAB 118 provides that the measurement period is complete when a company's accounting is complete and that measurement period shall not extend beyond one year from the enactment date. SAB 118 provides guidance for registrants under three scenarios: (i) measurement of certain income tax effects is complete, (ii) measurement of certain income tax effects can be reasonably estimated, and (iii) measurement of certain income tax effects cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company has analyzed the income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act and determined that measurement of the income tax effects can be reasonably estimated, and, as such, provisional amounts have been recorded. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized discrete income tax benefits of
$587.6 million
in Income Tax Benefit on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations related to effects of the 2017 Tax Act, which are comprised of the following:
(a)
in accordance with
Accounting Standards Codification No. 740, which requires deferred taxes to be remeasured in the year of an income tax rate change, the Company recorded a discrete deferred income tax benefit of
$897.6 million
in the three months ended December 31, 2017 as a result of applying a lower U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company's net deferred tax liabilities; and
(b) the 2017 Tax Act also requires a one-time transition tax to be recognized on historical foreign earnings and profits. In the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a discrete current income tax expense of
$310.0 million
on historical foreign earnings and profits through December 31, 2017.
The measurement of income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act cannot be completed until the end of the Company's current fiscal year due to the effective date of certain aspects of the 2017 Tax Act. Accordingly, the Company has recognized provisional amounts for the impact of the 2017 Tax Act within the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and expects to finalize the measurement of all amounts related to the 2017 Tax Act as of September 30, 2018.
Other Information
The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal and state jurisdictions as well as various foreign jurisdictions. As of
December 31, 2017
, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, defined as the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in the Company’s financial statements, of
$249.0 million
(
$223.9 million
, net of federal benefit). If recognized,
$205.6 million
of these tax benefits would reduce income tax expense and the effective tax rate. Included in this amount is
$15.4 million
of interest and penalties, which the Company records in income tax expense. In the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
, unrecognized tax benefits decreased by
$89.4 million
primarily due to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. Over the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that state tax audit resolutions and the expiration of statutes of limitations could result in a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits by approximately
$5.3 million
.
The Company's effective tax rates were
(140.1)%
and
31.9%
in the three months ended
December 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate in the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
was primarily impacted by the effect of the 2017 Tax Act. The effective tax rate in the three months ended December 31, 2016 was favorably impacted by growth of the Company's international businesses in Switzerland and Ireland, which have significantly lower income tax rates, and the benefit from stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting.
Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by reportable segment, for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Pharmaceutical
Distribution
Services
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
|
Goodwill at September 30, 2017
|
|
$
|
4,270,550
|
|
|
$
|
1,773,731
|
|
|
$
|
6,044,281
|
|
Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions
|
|
—
|
|
|
31,730
|
|
|
31,730
|
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
—
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
99
|
|
Goodwill at December 31, 2017
|
|
$
|
4,270,550
|
|
|
$
|
1,805,560
|
|
|
$
|
6,076,110
|
|
The following is a summary of other intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
September 30, 2017
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Net
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Net
Carrying
Amount
|
Indefinite-lived trade names
|
|
$
|
685,072
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
685,072
|
|
|
$
|
685,088
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
685,088
|
|
Finite-lived:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer relationships
|
|
2,360,751
|
|
|
(442,360
|
)
|
|
1,918,391
|
|
|
2,329,665
|
|
|
(408,636
|
)
|
|
1,921,029
|
|
Trade names and other
|
|
326,493
|
|
|
(104,921
|
)
|
|
221,572
|
|
|
325,353
|
|
|
(98,189
|
)
|
|
227,164
|
|
Total other intangible assets
|
|
$
|
3,372,316
|
|
|
$
|
(547,281
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,825,035
|
|
|
$
|
3,340,106
|
|
|
$
|
(506,825
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,833,281
|
|
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was
$40.2 million
in the three months ended
December 31, 2017
and
2016
. Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be
$163.3 million
in fiscal
2018
,
$159.5 million
in fiscal
2019
,
$155.1 million
in fiscal
2020
,
$152.9 million
in fiscal
2021
,
$152.2 million
in fiscal
2022
, and
$1,397.2 million
thereafter.
Note 5
. Debt
Debt consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
December 31,
2017
|
|
September 30,
2017
|
Revolving credit note
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Receivables securitization facility due 2019
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
Term loans due in 2020
|
|
548,061
|
|
|
547,860
|
|
Multi-currency revolving credit facility due 2021
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Overdraft facility due 2021
|
|
20,061
|
|
|
12,121
|
|
$400,000, 4.875% senior notes due 2019
|
|
—
|
|
|
398,399
|
|
$500,000, 3.50% senior notes due 2021
|
|
498,006
|
|
|
497,877
|
|
$500,000, 3.40% senior notes due 2024
|
|
496,888
|
|
|
496,766
|
|
$500,000, 3.25% senior notes due 2025
|
|
495,121
|
|
|
494,950
|
|
$750,000, 3.45% senior notes due 2027
|
|
742,150
|
|
|
—
|
|
$500,000, 4.25% senior notes due 2045
|
|
494,136
|
|
|
494,082
|
|
$500,000, 4.30% senior notes due 2047
|
|
492,395
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total debt
|
|
4,286,818
|
|
|
3,442,055
|
|
Less current portion
|
|
20,061
|
|
|
12,121
|
|
Total, net of current portion
|
|
$
|
4,266,757
|
|
|
$
|
3,429,934
|
|
Senior Notes
In December 2017, the Company issued
$750 million
of
3.45%
senior notes due
December 15, 2027
(the "2027 Notes") and
$500 million
of
4.30%
senior notes due
December 15, 2047
(the "2047 Notes"). The 2027 Notes were sold at
99.76%
of the principal amount and have an effective yield of
3.48%
. The 2047 Notes were sold at
99.51%
of the principal amount and have an effective yield of
4.33%
. Interest on the 2027 Notes and the 2047 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears, commencing on
June 15, 2018
. The 2027 and 2047 Notes rank pari passu to the Company's other senior notes, the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Note, the Overdraft Facility, and the Term Loans.
The Company used the proceeds from the 2027 Notes and the 2047 Notes to finance the early retirement of the
$400 million
of
4.875%
senior notes that were due in 2019, including the payment of a
$22.3 million
prepayment premium, and to finance the acquisition of H.D. Smith, which was completed on January 2, 2018 (see
Note 2
).
Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility
The Company has a
$1.4 billion
multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility"), which expires in
November 2021
, with a syndicate of lenders. Interest on borrowings under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility accrues at specified rates based on the Company’s debt rating and ranges from
70 basis points
to
110 basis points
over CDOR/LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee, as applicable (
91 basis points
over CDOR/LIBOR/
EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee as of
December 31, 2017
) and from
0 basis points
to
10 basis points
over
the alternate base rate and Canadian prime rate
, as applicable. The Company pays facility fees to maintain the availability under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility at specified rates based on its debt rating, ranging from
5 basis points
to
15 basis points
, annually, of the total commitment (
9 basis points
as of
December 31, 2017
). The Company may choose to repay or reduce its commitments under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility at any time. The Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants, including compliance with a financial leverage ratio test, as well as others that impose limitations on, among other things, indebtedness of subsidiaries and asset sales, with which the Company was compliant as of
December 31, 2017
.
Commercial Paper Program
The Company has a commercial paper program whereby it may from time to time issue short-term promissory notes in an aggregate amount of up to
$1.4 billion
at any one time. Amounts available under the program may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed from time to time. The maturities on the notes will vary, but may not exceed
365 days
from the date of issuance. The notes will bear interest, if interest bearing, or will be sold at a discount from their face amounts. The commercial paper program does not increase the Company’s borrowing capacity as it is fully backed by the Company’s Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility. There were
no
borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program as of
December 31, 2017
.
Receivables Securitization Facility
The Company has a
$1,450 million
receivables securitization facility ("Receivables Securitization Facility"), which expires in
November 2019
. The Company has available to it an accordion feature whereby the commitment on the Receivables Securitization Facility may be increased by up to
$250 million
, subject to lender approval, for seasonal needs during the December and March quarters. Interest rates are based on
prevailing market rates for short-term commercial paper or LIBOR, plus a program fee.
The Company pays a customary unused fee at prevailing market rates, annually, to maintain the availability under the Receivables Securitization Facility. The Receivables Securitization Facility contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of
December 31, 2017
.
Revolving Credit Note and Overdraft Facility
The Company has an uncommitted, unsecured line of credit available to it pursuant to a revolving credit note ("Revolving Credit Note"). The Revolving Credit Note provides the Company with the ability to request short-term unsecured revolving credit loans from time to time in a principal amount not to exceed
$75 million
. The Revolving Credit Note may be decreased or terminated by the bank or the Company at any time without prior notice. The Company also has a
£30 million
uncommitted U.K. overdraft facility ("Overdraft Facility"), which expires in February 2021, to fund short-term normal trading cycle fluctuations related to its MWI business.
Term Loans
In February 2015, the Company entered into a
$1.0 billion
variable-rate term loan ("February 2015 Term Loan"), which matures in 2020. Through
December 31, 2017
, the Company elected to make principal payments, prior to the scheduled repayment dates, of
$775 million
on the February 2015 Term Loan, and as a result, the Company’s next required principal payment is due upon maturity. The February 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate, plus a margin, or LIBOR, plus a margin. The margin is based on the public debt ratings of the Company and ranges from
75 basis points
to
125 basis points
over LIBOR (
100 basis points
as of
December 31, 2017
) and
0 basis points
to
25 basis points
over a base rate. The February 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of
December 31, 2017
.
In November 2015, the Company entered into a
$1.0 billion
variable-rate term loan ("November 2015 Term Loan"), which matures in 2020. Through
December 31, 2017
, the Company made a scheduled principal payment, as well as other principal payments prior to the scheduled repayment dates totaling
$675 million
on the November 2015 Term Loan, and as a result, the Company's next required principal payment is due upon maturity.
The November 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate, plus a margin, or LIBOR, plus a margin.
The margin is based on the public debt ratings of the Company and ranges from
75 basis points
to
125 basis points
over LIBOR (
100 basis points
as of
December 31, 2017
) and
0 basis points
to
25 basis points
over a base rate. The November 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of
December 31, 2017
.
Note 6. Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings per Share
In
November 2017
, the Company’s board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by
4%
from
$0.365
per share to
$0.380
per share.
In November 2016, the Company's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program allowing the Company to purchase up to
$1.0 billion
of its outstanding shares of common stock, subject to market conditions. During the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
, the Company purchased
0.3 million
shares of its common stock for a total of
$22.5 million
. As of
December 31, 2017
, the Company had
$766.4 million
of availability remaining under the November 2016 share repurchase program.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units during the periods presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
December 31,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
|
|
218,323
|
|
|
218,661
|
|
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units
|
|
2,499
|
|
|
3,318
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
|
|
220,822
|
|
|
221,979
|
|
The potentially dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units that were antidilutive for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
and 2016 were
4.6 million
and
5.3 million
, respectively.
Note 7. Related Party Transactions
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. ("WBA") owns more than
10%
of the Company’s outstanding common stock and is, therefore, considered a related party. The Company operates under various agreements and arrangements with WBA, including a pharmaceutical distribution agreement pursuant to which the Company distributes pharmaceutical products to WBA and an agreement that provides the Company the ability to access favorable economic pricing and generic products through a generic purchasing services arrangement with Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH. Both of these agreements expire in 2026.
Revenue from the various agreements and arrangements with WBA was
$12.2 billion
and
$11.2 billion
in the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively. The Company’s receivable from WBA, net of incentives, was
$5.3 billion
and
$5.0 billion
as of
December 31, 2017
and
September 30, 2017
, respectively.
Note 8. Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other
The following table illustrates the charges incurred by the Company relating to Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
December 31,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Employee severance and other costs
|
|
$
|
23,068
|
|
|
$
|
4,532
|
|
Deal-related transaction costs
|
|
4,144
|
|
|
534
|
|
Litigation costs
|
|
2,809
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
Total employee severance, litigation, and other
|
|
$
|
30,021
|
|
|
$
|
21,066
|
|
For the three months ended
December 31, 2017
, the Company incurred
$23.1 million
of employee severance and other costs,
$4.1 million
of deal-related transaction costs (primarily related to the acquisition of H.D. Smith as further discussed in
Note 2
), and
$2.8 million
of litigation costs. The Company continues its transformation efforts, which will further align the organization to its customers' needs in a more seamless and unified way, while supporting corporate strategy and accelerating growth, and as a result, numerous positions were eliminated in fiscal 2017 and during the three months ended December 31, 2017. Other costs in the three months ended December 31, 2017 include
$8.3 million
of certain fixed costs and scrapped non-usable inventory related to one of the Company's 503B outsourcing facilities, which voluntarily suspended production in December 2017 pending execution of certain remedial measures. The litigation costs incurred in the three months ended December 31, 2017 were legal fees primarily
related to opioid lawsuits and investigations. For the three months ended
December 31, 2016
, the Company incurred
$4.5 million
of employee severance and other costs,
$16.0 million
for a litigation settlement, and
$0.5 million
of deal-related transaction costs.
Employees receive their severance benefits over a period of time, generally not in excess of 12 months, or in the form of a lump-sum payment.
Note 9
. Legal Matters and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, government subpoenas, government investigations, and other disputes, including antitrust, commercial, environmental, product liability, intellectual property, regulatory, employment discrimination, and other matters. Significant damages or penalties may be sought from the Company in some matters, and some matters may require years for the Company to resolve. The Company records a reserve for these matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. With respect to the specific legal proceedings and claims described below, except as otherwise noted, the amount or range of possible losses is not reasonably estimable. There can be no assurance that the settlement, resolution, or other outcome of one or more matters, including the matters set forth below, during any subsequent reporting period will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows for that period or on the Company's financial condition.
Government Enforcement and Related Litigation Matters
The Company is involved in government investigations and litigation arising from the marketing, promotion, sale, and dispensing of pharmaceutical products in the United States. Some of these investigations originate through what are known as
qui tam
complaints of the Federal False Claims Act. The qui tam provisions of the Federal Civil False Claims Act and various state and local civil False Claims Acts permit a private person, known as a "relator" or whistleblower, to file civil actions under these statutes on behalf of the federal, state, and local governments. Qui tam complaints are initially filed by the relator under seal (or on a confidential basis) and the filing of the complaint imposes obligations on government authorities to investigate the allegations in the complaint and to determine whether or not to intervene in the action. Qui tam complaints remain sealed until the court in which the case was filed orders otherwise.
Under the Federal False Claims Act, the government (or relators who pursue the claims without the participation of the government in the case) may seek to recover up to three times the amount of damages in addition to a civil penalty for each allegedly false claim submitted to the government for payment. Generally speaking, these cases take several years for the investigation to be completed and, ultimately, to be resolved (either through litigation or settlement) after the complaint is unsealed. In addition, some states have pursued investigations under state false claims statutes or consumer protection laws, either in conjunction with a government investigation or separately. There is often collateral litigation that arises from public disclosures of government investigations, including the filing of class action lawsuits by third party payors or by shareholders alleging violations of the securities laws.
The Company has learned that there are filings in one or more federal district courts, including a qui tam complaint filed by one of its former employees, that are under seal and may involve allegations against the Company (and/or subsidiaries or businesses of the Company, including its group purchasing organization for oncologists and its oncology distribution business) relating to its distribution of certain pharmaceutical products to providers.
Subpoenas and Ongoing Investigations
From time to time, the Company receives subpoenas or requests for information from various government agencies relating to the Company's business or to the business of a customer, supplier, or other industry participant. The Company generally responds to such subpoenas and requests in a cooperative manner. These responses often require time and effort and can result in considerable costs being incurred by the Company. Most of these matters are resolved without incident; however, such subpoenas or requests can lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of civil or criminal legal proceedings against the Company and other members of the healthcare industry, as well as to substantial settlements.
Since fiscal 2012, the Company and its subsidiary AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group ("ABSG") have been responding to subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York ("USAO-EDNY") requesting production of documents and information relating to the pre-filled syringe program of ABSG’s subsidiary Medical Initiatives, Inc., ABSG's oncology distribution center, its group purchasing organization for oncologists, and intercompany transfers of certain oncology products. Medical Initiatives, Inc. voluntarily ceased operations in early 2014. The Company has produced documents and witnesses and has engaged in ongoing dialogue with the USAO-EDNY since 2012. As previously disclosed, in fiscal 2017 ABSG resolved
the federal criminal investigation related to the failure of Medical Initiatives, Inc. to duly register with the United States Food and Drug Administration.
The USAO-EDNY has also indicated that it intends to pursue alleged civil claims under the False Claims Act. As previously disclosed, ABSG reached an agreement in principle with the USAO-EDNY during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, which the Company understands will resolve the alleged civil claims in their entirety. The agreement in principle is subject to negotiation of final terms, approval by the parties, execution of definitive documents, obtaining the satisfactory resolution of related issues with certain other interested parties, including the resolution of any potential administrative action by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and approval by the Court. Under the terms of the agreement in principle with the USAO-EDNY, ABSG will pay
$625.0 million
. In connection with the agreement in principle, the Company accrued a
$625.0 million
reserve in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. This amount remains unpaid and is included in Accrued Expenses and Other on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017.
In fiscal 2012, the Company's subsidiary AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation ("ABDC") received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey ("USAO-NJ") in connection with a grand jury proceeding requesting documents concerning ABDC's program for controlling and monitoring diversion of controlled substances into channels other than for legitimate medical, scientific, and industrial purposes. ABDC also received a subpoena from the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") in connection with the matter. Since fiscal 2012, ABDC has received and responded to a number of subpoenas from both the USAO-NJ and DEA requesting grand jury testimony and additional information related to electronically stored information, documents concerning specific customers' purchases of controlled substances, and DEA audits. In July 2017, the USAO-NJ and DEA served an administrative subpoena requesting documents relating to ABDC’s diversion control programs from 2013 to the present. The Company is responding to the 2017 subpoena and continues to engage in dialogue with the USAO-NJ.
Since fiscal 2013, the Company has received subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio and ABDC has received subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas in connection with grand jury proceedings requesting documents concerning ABDC's program for controlling and monitoring diversion of controlled substances into channels other than for legitimate medical, scientific, and industrial purposes. As in the USAO-NJ matter described above, in addition to requesting information on ABDC's diversion control program generally, the subpoenas have also requested documents concerning specific customers' purchases of controlled substances. The Company has responded to the subpoenas and requests for information.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s subsidiary U.S. Bioservices Corporation ("U.S. Bio") settled claims with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York ("USAO-SDNY") and with various states arising from the previously disclosed matter involving the dispensing of one product and U.S. Bio’s relationship with the manufacturer of that product. In accordance with the settlement agreements, the United States’ complaint against U.S. Bio was dismissed and the participating states agreed not to bring, and to dismiss with prejudice, any state law claims that they had the authority to bring against U.S. Bio. The Company paid the United States
$10.7 million
in fiscal 2017 and paid the participating states
$2.8 million
in the quarter ended December 31, 2017, which together constitute the previously-disclosed
$13.4 million
settlement. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized the
$13.4 million
settlement in Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In January 2017, U.S. Bio received a subpoena for information from the USAO-EDNY relating to U.S. Bio’s activities in connection with billing for products and making returns of potential overpayments to government payers. The Company is engaged in discussions with the USAO-EDNY and has been producing documents in response to the subpoena.
In November 2017, the Company’s subsidiary PharMEDium received a grand jury subpoena for documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee ("USAO-WDTN") seeking various documents, including information generally related to the laboratory testing procedures of PharMEDium's products, and more specifically, for PharMEDium products packaged in a certain type of syringe at its Memphis, Tennessee facility. The Company is engaged in discussions with the USAO-WDTN and has begun producing documents responsive to the subpoena.
For those matters for which the Company has not recognized a liability, the Company cannot predict the outcome of ongoing investigations or their impact on the Company as uncertainty remains with regard to whether such matters will proceed to trial, whether settlements will be reached and the amount and terms of any such settlements. Outcomes may include settlements in significant amounts that are not currently estimable, limitations on the Company's conduct, the imposition of corporate integrity obligations, and/or other civil and criminal penalties.
Opioid Lawsuits and Investigations
A significant number of counties and municipalities in a majority of U.S. states and Puerto Rico, as well as the states of Delaware and New Mexico and several tribes, have filed lawsuits in various federal, state and other courts against pharmaceutical wholesale distributors (including the Company and ABDC), pharmaceutical manufacturers and retail chains relating to the distribution of prescription opioid pain medications. Other lawsuits regarding the distribution of prescription opioid pain medications have been filed by: third-party payors and similar entities; hospitals and hospital groups; individuals; and a public child protective services agency. The lawsuits, which have been filed in various federal, state and other courts, generally allege violations of controlled substance laws and various other statutes as well as common law claims, including negligence, public nuisance, and unjust enrichment, and seek equitable relief and monetary damages. All such cases remain at the pleading stage.
On September 25, 2017, the plaintiffs in several of these lawsuits filed a motion before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”) to have all federal complaints transferred to a single federal court for consolidated and coordinated pretrial proceedings. After a hearing before the JPML on November 30, 2017, an initial group of cases was consolidated for Multidistrict Litigation (“MDL”) proceedings before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Additional cases have been, and will likely continue to be, transferred to the MDL. The MDL is in the earliest stages. Following an initial telephonic conference and several hearings, the court has been engaged in preliminary matters. Other entities, including additional attorneys general’s offices, counties, and cities in multiple states, have indicated their intent to sue. The Company is vigorously defending itself in the pending lawsuits and intends to vigorously defend itself against any threatened lawsuits. The Company is not in a position to assess the likely outcome or its exposure, if any, with respect to these matters.
In addition, on September 18, 2017, the Company received a request for documents and information on behalf of attorneys general from a coalition of states who are investigating a number of manufacturers and distributors (including ABDC) regarding the distribution of prescription opioid pain medications. The Company is engaged in discussions with the representatives of the attorneys general regarding this request and has begun producing responsive documents. The Company has also received subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and other requests for information, requesting the production of documents regarding the distribution of prescription opioid pain medications from government agencies in other jurisdictions, including certain U.S. states. The Company is engaged in discussions with representatives from these government agencies regarding the requests, and has begun producing, or intends to begin producing, responsive documents.
Other Litigation
On September 10, 2014, PharMerica Corp., Pharmacy Corporation of America and Chem Rx Pharmacy Services, LLC (collectively, "PMC"), customers of ABDC until March 3, 2015, filed a complaint in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, Kentucky against ABDC. The original complaint alleged that ABDC failed to pay in excess of
$8 million
in rebates pursuant to a prime vendor agreement between PMC and ABDC under which ABDC distributed pharmaceuticals and other products to PMC. PMC subsequently amended its complaint
three
times.
ABDC answered all of the complaints, denied PMC’s allegations, and filed counterclaims alleging, among other things, that PMC failed to pay nearly
$50 million
in invoices related to pharmaceutical products it received from ABDC. On April 1, 2016, the Jefferson Circuit Court granted ABDC’s motion for partial summary judgment on
one
counterclaim and entered judgment in the amount of
$48.6 million
against PMC. Effective December 7, 2017, ABDC and PMC entered into an agreement to resolve all claims in the litigation,
including the pending judgment against PMC, for a one-time payment from PMC to ABDC of
$3.1 million
. On December 11, 2017, the Jefferson Circuit Court entered an Agreed Order of Dismissal that dismissed all claims in the litigation with prejudice. As a result of the agreement to settle the litigation, there was no impact to its consolidated results of operations.
Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The recorded amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable as of
December 31, 2017
and
September 30, 2017
approximate fair value based upon the relatively short-term nature of these financial instruments. Within Cash and Cash Equivalents, the Company had
no
investments in money market accounts as of
December 31, 2017
and had
$800.0 million
of investments in money market accounts as of
September 30, 2017
. The fair value of the money market accounts was determined based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, otherwise known as Level 1 inputs.
The recorded amount of long-term debt (see
Note 5
) and the corresponding fair value as of
December 31, 2017
were
$4,266.8 million
and
$4,334.9 million
, respectively. The recorded amount of long-term debt and the corresponding fair value as
of
September 30, 2017
were
$3,429.9 million
and
$3,522.5 million
, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt was determined based upon inputs other than quoted prices, otherwise known as Level 2 inputs.
Note 11. Business Segment Information
The Company is organized based upon the products and services it provides to its customers. The Company's operations are comprised of the Pharmaceutical Distribution Services reportable segment and other operating segments that are not significant enough to require separate reportable segment disclosure and, therefore, have been included in Other for the purpose of reportable segment presentation. Other consists of operating segments that focus on global commercialization services and animal health and includes AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services ("ABCS"), World Courier, and MWI.
The following illustrates reportable segment revenue information for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
December 31,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Pharmaceutical Distribution Services
|
|
$
|
38,937,698
|
|
|
$
|
36,798,289
|
|
Other
|
|
1,544,951
|
|
|
1,384,490
|
|
Intersegment eliminations
|
|
(16,317
|
)
|
|
(13,514
|
)
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
40,466,332
|
|
|
$
|
38,169,265
|
|
Intersegment eliminations primarily represent the elimination of certain Pharmaceutical Distribution Services reportable segment sales to MWI.
The following illustrates reportable segment operating income information for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
December 31,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Pharmaceutical Distribution Services
|
|
$
|
388,182
|
|
|
$
|
379,060
|
|
Other
|
|
100,275
|
|
|
107,148
|
|
Intersegment eliminations
|
|
(407
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
Total segment operating income
|
|
$
|
488,050
|
|
|
$
|
486,195
|
|
The following reconciles total segment operating income to income before income taxes for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
December 31,
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Total segment operating income
|
|
$
|
488,050
|
|
|
$
|
486,195
|
|
Gain from antitrust litigation settlements
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,395
|
|
LIFO expense
|
|
—
|
|
|
(28,308
|
)
|
Acquisition-related intangibles amortization
|
|
(39,056
|
)
|
|
(38,229
|
)
|
Employee severance, litigation, and other
|
|
(30,021
|
)
|
|
(21,066
|
)
|
Operating income
|
|
418,973
|
|
|
399,987
|
|
Other loss (income)
|
|
324
|
|
|
(123
|
)
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
35,864
|
|
|
36,972
|
|
Loss on early retirement of debt
|
|
23,766
|
|
|
—
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$
|
359,019
|
|
|
$
|
363,138
|
|
Segment operating income is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker of the Company before gain from antitrust litigation settlements; LIFO expense; acquisition-related intangibles amortization; employee severance, litigation, and other; other loss (income); interest expense, net, and loss on early retirement of debt. All corporate office expenses are allocated to each operating segment.