<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 4-A(ii)
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

BINDLEY WESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC.

               6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2002
                               CUSIP NO. 090324ABO

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 27, 1997, Bindley Western Industries,
Inc., (the "Company") called for redemption on September 12, 1997 (the
"Redemption Date"), all of its outstanding 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2002 (the "Debentures") at a redemption price of 103.90 percent
of the principal face amount of the Debentures plus accrued interest to the
Redemption Date (the "Redemption Price"). On and after the Redemption Date,
interest on the Debentures will cease to accrue and the Debentures will cease to
be entitled to any lien, benefit or security under the Indenture governing the
terms of the Debentures.

                ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS OF DEBENTURES


     1. Conversion of Debentures Into Common Stock of the Company by the Close
of Business on the Redemption Date. At any time until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time on September 12, 1997, Debentures may be converted at the option of the
holder into shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company ("Common
Stock"), at a conversion price of $19.825 per share of Common Stock. No
fractional shares will be issued upon conversion of Debentures. Instead, a cash
adjustment equal to that same fraction of the closing sale price per share
of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day next
preceding the date of conversion will be paid by the Company. The closing sale
price of the Common Stock on August 22, 1997, on the New York Stock Exchange was
$24 1/2. Between January 1, 1997, and August 22, 1997, the high and low closing
sale prices of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange ranged from
$17 5/8 to $24 5/8.

     Debentures may be converted into Common Stock by surrendering Debentures to
Bank One, Indiana, N.A. (formerly known as Bank One, Indianapolis, N.A.), at the
address specified below no later than the close of business on the Redemption
Date. Debentures must be surrendered together with a written notice of election
executed by the holder thereof, specifying the name(s) in which the shares of
Common Stock deliverable upon such conversion shall be registered with the
address and social security or taxpayer identification number of the person(s)
so named.

     If the closing sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the
New York Stock Exchange is greater than $21 1/4 on the date of conversion,
holders of Debentures who elect to convert their Debentures will receive shares
of Common Stock having, at the time of such conversion, an aggregate market
value greater than the aggregate Redemption Price the holders would receive upon
redemption of their Debentures. On conversion no adjustment will be made for
accrued interest on the Debentures.

     2. Redemption of Debentures. Debentures not properly submitted for
conversion by the close of business on the Redemption Date will be redeemed at
the Redemption Price. Payment of the Redemption Price will be made by Bank One,
Indiana, N.A., on and after the Redemption Date upon receipt at the address
specified below of the Debentures so redeemed.

     3. SALE OF DEBENTURES IN BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS Debentures may be sold in
the open market. Holders of Debentures who wish to sell their Debentures should
consult with their own financial advisors regarding if and when they should sell
their Debentures.

     The Company has been advised that, under present federal income tax law, no
taxable gain or loss will be recognized by a holder of Debentures on the
conversion except to the extent that the holder receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share of Common Stock.  A holder of Debentures who either redeems
or sells his Debenture will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference



                                   4-A(ii)











<PAGE>   2
                       BINDLEY WESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC.
                     10333 NORTH MERIDIAN STREET, SUITE 300
                           INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46290
                                 (317) 298-9900

                                                                 August 27, 1997

TO BANKS, BROKERS AND OTHER NOMINEE HOLDERS:



     Enclosed is a copy of a Notice of Redemption by Bindley Western Industries,
Inc. of its 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2002 (the
"Debentures") on September 12, 1997 (the "Redemption Date"). We are also
enclosing a form of Letter of Transmittal.

     THE DEBENTURES ARE PRESENTLY CONVERTIBLE INTO SHARES OF BINDLEY WESTERN
INDUSTRIES, INC. COMMON STOCK AT A PRICE OF $19.825 PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK.
AFTER 5:00 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME ON THE REDEMPTION DATE, THE DEBENTURES
WILL NO LONGER BE SO CONVERTIBLE.

     BASED ON THE CLOSING PRICE OF $24 1/2 FOR THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NEW YORK
STOCK EXCHANGE ON AUGUST 22, 1997, THE MARKET VALUE OF THE SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK INTO WHICH THE DEBENTURES ARE CONVERTIBLE IS GREATER THAN THE REDEMPTION
PRICE (WHICH INCLUDES A PREMIUM) OF THE DEBENTURES.

     If you are a holder of Debentures, this information will be of importance
to you. If you are not a holder, we trust that this information may be helpful
to you in advising your clients who may have occasion to seek your counsel
regarding the redemption.

     Please forward copies of these enclosures to any of your clients who hold
Debentures, and we will reimburse you for any expenses incurred by you in doing
so.  Additional copies of the enclosures are available at:

               Bank One, Indiana, N.A.
               c/o Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
               P.O. Box 710184
               Columbus, Ohio 43271-0184
               Attention: Corporate Trust Operations
               (800) 346-5153

     If you have any questions or require assistance in completing the Letter of
Transmittal, please contact Bank One, Indiana, N.A., at the address or phone
number indicated above.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   BINDLEY WESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                   By  William E. Bindley
                                      ----------------------------------
                                       William E. Bindley
                                       Chairman of the Board
Enclosures:

   A. Notice of Redemption
   B. Letter of Transmittal



<PAGE>   3
If you wish to convert your Debentures by means of this Letter of Transmittal,
the Debentures and Letter of Transmittal must be RECEIVED by Bank One, Indiana,
N.A. at the address set forth below prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
September 12, 1997. See Instructions on the attached page.

                        BINDLEY WESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC.
                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL



(To Accompany 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2002)
By Mail                                   By Hand or Overnight Courier Delivery
Bank One, Indiana, N.A.                   Bank One Indiana, N.A.
c/o Bank One Trust Company, N.A.          c/o Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 710184                           235 West Schrock Road
Columbus, Ohio 43271-0184                 Westerville, Ohio   43081-0184
Attention: Corporate Trust Operations     Attention: Corporate Trust Operations
(800) 346-5153


Ladies and Gentlemen:


     Surrendered herewith are 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due
2002 (the "Debentures") of Bindley Western Industries. Inc. (the "Company")
numbered and registered as listed below.

     Items A, B and E of this Letter of Transmittal must be completed in all
cases.

         PLEASE FOLLOW CAREFULLY THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ATTACHED PAGE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ITEM A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         PLEASE FILL IN NUMBERS
                                                                     ----------------------------------------
                                                                     Certificate       Principal Face Amount
             Name and Address of registered holder                    Number(s)             on Debentures
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                  <C>
                                                                 -------------------   $---------------------
                                                                 -------------------   $---------------------
                                                                 -------------------   $---------------------
                                                                 -------------------   $---------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED DEBENTURES ARE SURRENDERED TO YOU FOR THE ACTION INDICATED
BELOW.

                                    ITEM B

INDICATE CHOICE                 1. [ ]  Conversion, at the conversion price of
BY CHECKING ONE BOX                     $19.825 per share of Common Stock,
                                        into approximately 50.4 shares of
                                        Bindley Western Industries, Inc. Common
                                        Stock $.01 par value (the "Common
                                        Stock"), with a cash adjustment in
                                        respect of fractional shares, for each
                                        $1,000 principal face amount of
                                        Debenture (see Instruction 2).


  NOTE: SO LONG AS THE MARKET PRICE PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK IS GREATER
       THAN $21 1/4, THE AGGREGATE MARKET PRICE OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
       (WITH CASH IN LIEU OF ANY FRACTIONAL SHARE) TO BE RECEIVED UPON
       CONVERSION WILL BE GREATER THAN THE AMOUNT OF CASH RECEIVABLE UPON
       REDEMPTION.



                                2. [ ]  Redemption at 103.90 percent of the
                                        principal face amount of Debentures
                                        plus accrued interest (see
                                        Instruction 3).



                                IF NO BOX IS CHECKED AND THE ABOVE DEBENTURES
                                ARE RECEIVED BY BANK ONE, INDIANA, N.A. PRIOR
                                TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME ON SEPTEMBER
                                12 1997, SUCH DEBENTURES WILL BE DEEMED
                                SURRENDERED FOR CONVERSION INTO COMMON STOCK.
                                IF ANY DEBENTURES ARE RECEIVED AFTER THAT TIME,
                                SUCH DEBENTURES WILL BE REDEEMED.









<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<S><C>
                ITEM C                                              ITEM D

     To be completed only if certificate(s)                    To be completed only if certificate(s)
evidencing shares of Common Stock and/or a check           evidencing shares of Common Stock and/or a
to be issued shares in name(s) other than name(s)          check to be mailed to address other than
indicated in Item A above (see Instructions                address indicated in Item A above (see
3, 4, and 5)                                               Instructions 4, and 5)

      Issue to:                                                      Mail to:

Name(s):_________________________________________          Name(s):______________________________________
               Type or Print                                             Type or Print

Address:_________________________________________          Address:______________________________________

_________________________________________________          ______________________________________________
                          Zip Code                                                     Zip Code

_________________________________________________
Social Security Number or Taxpayer I.D. Number

                                  ITEM E

                                REQUIRED SIGNATURES

                                   The signature(s) on this Letter of
DEBENTUREHOLDER(S)             Transmittal must correspond exactly
   MUST                        with the name(s) on the Debenture
   SIGN                        certificates or the name(s) of the
   HERE                        person(s) to whom the Debentures have
                               been properly assigned and transferred (see
                               Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 6)


                               Dated:_______________________________________

                               Signature(s):________________________________

                               Signature(s):________________________________

                               Social Security Number or
                                 Taxpayer I.D. Number:______________________

                               Telephone:  (   )____________________________

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5



                          IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

     Under federal income tax law, Bank One, Indiana, N.A., may be required to
withhold 31% of payments to holders presenting their Debentures for redemption
who have failed to furnish a social security or other taxpayer identification
number to it, certified to be correct under penalty of perjury.  Certification
may be made on Substitute Form W-9 below.

                    SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MUST BE COMPLETED

<TABLE>
<S><C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S NAME:                         BANK ONE, INDIANA, N.A.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUBSTITUTE                 Part 1 -PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT
                           RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
                                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                                  Social Security Number

FORM W-9                                                                        OR
                                                                                  -------------------------------
                                                                                  Employer Identification Number
DEPARTMENT OF THE
TREASURY INTERNAL          Part 2 - Certification - Under Penalties of Perjury, I certify that:
REVENUE SERVICE            (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer
                               Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR            be issued to me) and
TAXPAYER                   (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I                Part 3
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER          have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service                        --------------
("TIN")                        ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a                   Awaiting TIN
                               result of failure to report all interests or dividends, or the              [ ]
                               IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to
                               backup withholding.


                           Certification Instructions -You must cross out Item
                           (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that
                           you are subject to backup withholding because of
                           under reporting interests or dividends on your tax
                           return. However, if after being notified by the IRS
                           that you were subject to backup withholding you
                           received another notification from the IRS that you
                           were no longer subject to backup withholding, do not
                           cross out item (2).

                           SIGNATURE                                Date            , 1997
                                    -----------------------------        -----------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

    YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
                        PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

     I certify that under penalties of perjury a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31% of all
reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a
number.

                                                                         , 1997
--------------------------------                -------------------------
         Signature                                        Date

                               DO NOT WRITE BELOW

<TABLE>
<S><C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Received:                                            Number of Common Shares Issued:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Principal Face Amount of Debentures received for:         Common Stock Certificate No(s):
         Conversion $
                     -----------------
         Redemption $                                     Amount of Check:
                     -----------------                            $
                                                                   ------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate No(s):                                        Number of Check:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Checked by:                                               Checked by:               Date Delivered:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   6




                                  INSTRUCTIONS

1. GENERAL

     Please do not send Debenture certificates directly to the Company. Your
Debentures, together with your signed and completed Letter of Transmittal (or
other notice) and any required supporting documents (see Instructions 4 and 5
below) should be mailed, or otherwise delivered, to Bank One, Indiana, N.A. at
the address indicated on the Letter of Transmittal. The method of delivery is at
your option and risk but, if mail is used, registered mail, return receipt
requested, is suggested.

     Items A, B and E on the Letter of Transmittal must be completed in all
cases.

2. IF YOU WISH TO CONVERT YOUR DEBENTURES

     If you wish to convert your Debentures into shares of Common Stock, your
Debentures and a completed Letter of Transmittal must be received by Bank One,
Indiana, N.A. at the address indicated on the Letter of Transmittal, prior to
5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 12, 1997.

     If you wish the certificate(s) evidencing shares of Common Stock to be
issued in the same name as the name in which the surrendered Debentures are
registered, complete Items A, B and E on the Letter of Transmittal.

     If you wish the certificate(s) evidencing shares of Common Stock to be
issued in a different name, see Instruction 4 and complete items A, B, C and E
on the Letter of Transmittal.

3. IF YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR DEBENTURES REDEEMED

     If you wish to have your Debentures redeemed by the Company for cash, your
Debentures and a completed Letter of Transmittal must be sent to Bank One,
Indiana, N.A. at the address indicated on the Letter of Transmittal. A check
will be sent to you when your Debentures and Letter of Transmittal have been
received, but in no event earlier than September 15, 1997.

     If you wish the check to be issued in the name in which the surrendered
Debentures are registered, complete Items A, B and E on the Letter of
Transmittal.

     If you wish the check to be issued in a different name, see Instruction 4
and complete Items A, B, C and E on the Letter of Transmittal.

     IF YOU FAIL TO INDICATE A CHOICE AS TO REDEMPTION OR CONVERSION AND YOUR
DEBENTURES ARE RECEIVED BY BANK ONE, INDIANA, N.A., PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN
STANDARD TIME ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1997, SUCH DEBENTURES WILL BE DEEMED SURRENDERED
FOR CONVERSION INTO COMMON STOCK. IF YOUR DEBENTURES ARE RECEIVED AFTER THAT
TIME, SUCH DEBENTURES WILL BE REDEEMED.

4. CERTIFICATE OR CHECK TO BE ISSUED IN A DIFFERENT NAME

     If you wish the certificate(s) evidencing shares of Common Stock and / or
check to be issued in a name other than that of the registered holder of the
Debentures, your Debentures must be property endorsed or be accompanied by
appropriate stock powers, properly executed by the registered holder, so that
such endorsement or stock powers are signed exactly as the name of the
registered holder appearing on the Debenture certificates, and the signature
must be properly guaranteed by a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States or by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities
exchange. Complete Items A, B, C and E on the Letter of Transmittal.

5. SIGNATURE BY OTHER THAN REGISTERED HOLDER

     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed in Item E by an executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, attorney or the like, the Letter of
Transmittal and Debentures must be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to Bank
One, Indiana, N.A., and the Company of the authority of such person to sign the
Letter of Transmittal.

     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed in Item E by someone other than the
registered holder, who is not a person described in the preceding paragraph, the
Debentures must be properly endorsed or be accompanied by appropriate stock
powers, properly executed by the registered holder, so that such endorsement or
stock powers are signed exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on
the Debentures, and the signature



<PAGE>   7



must be properly guaranteed by a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States or by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities
exchange. Complete Items A, B, D and E on the Letter of Transmittal.

6. JOINT HOLDERS

     If Debentures are tendered by joint holders or owners, all such persons
must sign Item E on the Letter of Transmittal. If Debentures are registered in
different names or forms of ownership, separate Letters of Transmittal must be
completed, signed and returned for each different registration.

7. LOST OR DESTROYED DEBENTURE CERTIFICATES

     If your Debenture certificates have been either lost or destroyed, notify
Bank One, Indiana, N.A., of this fact promptly at the address and phone number
set forth on the Letter of Transmittal. You will then be instructed as to the
steps you must take in order to convert or surrender for redemption your
Debentures.

8. QUESTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR DEBENTURE CERTIFICATES

     Questions and requests for assistance on how to submit your Debentures
should be directed to Bank One, Indiana, N.A., at the address and phone number
set forth on the Letter of Transmittal.

9. TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

     Each holder who tenders Debentures for redemption is required to provide
Bank One, Indiana, N.A., with the holder's correct TIN, generally, the holder's
social security or federal employer identification number, on Substitute Form
W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information," and to certify
whether such person is subject to backup withholding of federal income tax.

A holder must cross out item (2) in the Certification box of Substitute Form
W-9, if such holder is subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the
information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the holder to 31% federal
income tax backup withholding on the payments made to the holder or other payee
with respect to Debentures tendered for redemption. The box in Part 3 of the
form should be checked if the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has
applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box
in Part 3 is checked and Bank One, Indiana, N.A., is not provided with a TIN
within 60 days, thereafter Bank One, Indiana, N.A., will withhold 31% of all
such payments of the redemption price, if any, of Debentures tendered for
redemption until a TIN is provided.