April 22 (Reuters) - Cardinal Health ( CAH ) said on

Monday its pharma distribution contracts with UnitedHealth Group

Inc's ( UNH ) OptumRx unit will not be renewed after they expire

at the end of June.

The drug distributor said it expects to partially offset the

impact of losing the OptumRx contracts through a combination of

new customer wins and growth in its specialty pharmacy business.

"We are excited about the many other opportunities in the

marketplace, such as the onboarding of new customers and the

additional capabilities from the integration of Specialty

Networks in fiscal 2025," said Debbie Weitzman, CEO of the

company's pharmaceutical and specialty solutions division.

Cardinal Health ( CAH ) declined to provide any further comment on

the OptumRx contracts.

OptumRx is a pharmacy benefit manager which acts as an

intermediary between insurers and drugmakers to negotiate the

prices of prescription drugs.