SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. has appointed Brian Tyler as president of its McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical unit.

Tyler, who had been president of McKesson’s medical-surgical division, succeeds John Figueroa, who has accepted the position of chief executive officer of Omnicare Inc.

In his new position Tyler oversees a McKesson business that provides pharmaceutical distribution services and related health care services to customers in four primary segments: retail chains, independent retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies and institutional providers.

A 13-year McKesson veteran, Tyler has accumulated extensive experience across the full range of the company’s distribution businesses.

He started his career as the vice president of strategic business services and then became the senior vice president of business development and sales strategy for the health systems group within McKesson’s pharmaceutical division.

Tyler later served as senior vice president of strategy and business development for all of McKesson’s distribution solutions sectors, with responsibility for strategic planning, joint ventures, alliances and other business development activities for McKesson’s pharmaceutical distribution, medical-surgical, health solutions and retail automation groups. He later ran McKesson’s specialty care solutions unit, with responsibility for such areas as specialty distribution, pharmacy, marketing services and logistics.

“Brian is ideally suited to extend McKesson’s lead in pharmaceutical distribution based on his deep experience across our distribution businesses, outstanding track record as a business leader and his commitment to operational excellence,” says Julian. “We know he will extend our leadership position in pharmaceutical distribution and help us continue creating outstanding value for our customers, supplier partners and shareholders.”

Before joining McKesson, Tyler spent three years at Integral Inc. as a senior associate in the firm’s health care consulting practice.