Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.1

                                  COMMON STOCK

                          [CARDINAL HEALTH, INC. LOGO]

                              CARDINAL HEALTH, INC.

    NUMBER        INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO     SHARES
A

                                             SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
                                                CUSIP 14149Y 10 8

                               THIS CERTIFIES THAT

                                 IS THE OWNER OF

       FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE COMMON SHARES, WITHOUT PAR VALUE, OF

CARDINAL HEALTH, INC., TRANSFERABLE ONLY ON THE BOOKS OF THE CORPORATION BY THE
HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE IN PERSON OR BY DULY AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY UPON
SURRENDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE PROPERLY ENDORSED. THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID
UNLESS COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

                                                        [STATUE OF LIBERTY LOGO]

         DATED:

                              /S/ ROBERT D. WALTER
                              CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
         FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                  TRANSFER AGENT
                  AND REGISTRAR

                              /S/ PAUL S. WILLIAMS
                                    SECRETARY

         BY                   AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

<PAGE>   2

               2

Cardinal Health, Inc. will mail to each shareholder without charge within five
days of receipt of written request therefor a copy of the express terms, if any,
of the shares represented by this certificate and of the other class or classes
and series of shares, if any, which the corporation is authorized to issue.

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                       <C>
     TEN COM - as tenants in common                       UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - __________Custodian _______
     TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                                     (Cust)            (Minor)
     JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of                                 under Uniform Gifts to Minors
               survivorship and not as tenants                                Act _________________________
               in common                                                                  (State)
</TABLE>

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For value received, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s)
unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

- --------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ASSIGNEE'S NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of the shares represented by this certificate, and hereby irrevocably
constitute(s) and appoint(s)

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
attorney, with full power of substitution, to transfer the shares on the books
of the corporation.

Dated ___________________________   ____________________________________________

                                    x
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                    (Signature)

    AFFIX MEDALLION SIGNATURE       x
     GUARANTEE IMPRINT BELOW        --------------------------------------------
                                                    (Signature)

                                    --------------------------------------------

                                    ABOVE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST
                                    CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE
                                    FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR,
                                    WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY
                                    CHANGE WHATEVER.

                                    THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN
                                    ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION SUCH AS A
                                    SECURITIES BROKER/DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK &
                                    TRUST COMPANY, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
                                    OR A CREDIT UNION PARTICIPATING IN A
                                    MEDALLION PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
                                    TRANSFER ASSOCIATION, INC.<PAGE>   1
                                                          EXHIBIT 4.8
                                                          -----------

                        [FORM OF FACE OF DEBT SECURITY]

No.                                                             $____________

                             CARDINAL HEALTH, INC.

                                 % [Note]* Due

   CARDINAL HEALTH, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Issuer"), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to _______________________ or registered
assigns, at the office or agency of the Issuer in ______________________, the
principal sum of _______________ Dollars on __________________, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest,
semiannually on ______________ and ________________ of each year, commencing
______________________, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like
coin or currency, at the rate per annum specified in the title of this Note,
from the _________________ or the ____________________, as the case may be,
next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless
the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from
the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on these Notes, in
which case from ___________________, until payment of said principal sum has
been made or duly provided for; PROVIDED, that payment of interest may be made
at the option of the Issuer by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Security register.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the ____ day of
_________________ or _________________, as the case may be, and before the
following ___________________ or ________________, this Note shall bear
interest from such ________________ or __________________; PROVIDED, that if
the Issuer shall default in the payment of interest due on such _______________
or _________________, then this Note shall bear interest from the next
preceding ___________________ or _______________, to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid on these Notes, from __________________.
The interest so payable on any _________________ or ____________ will, subject
to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse
hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the
close of business on the __________________ or _______________, as the case may
be, next preceding such ________________ or ____________________.

__________________________________

*  Insert title of Debt Security.

<PAGE>   2
   Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the
reverse hereof.  Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.

   This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee
under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CARDINAL HEALTH, INC. has caused this instrument to be
signed by facsimile by its duly authorized officers and has caused a facsimile
of its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted hereon.

Dated:

                                  CARDINAL HEALTH, INC.

                                  By_________________________________

                                  By_________________________________

              [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

   This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                  BANK ONE, NA,
                                    as Trustee

                                  By_________________________________
                                    Authorized Officer

                          [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                            CARDINAL HEALTH, INC.

                                  % Note Due

   This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debentures, notes, bonds or
other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer (hereinafter called the
"Securities") of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an indenture dated as of April 18, 1997 (herein called

                                     -2-

<PAGE>   3
the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer to BANK ONE, NA, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Securities.  The Securities may be
issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various
aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest
(if any) at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions
(if any), may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds (if
any), and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided.  This Note is one of
a series designated as the ______% Notes Due ______________ of the Issuer,
limited in aggregate principal amount to $_____________.

   In case an Event of Default with respect to the ______% Notes Due
_______________, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be
continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration
shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to
the conditions provided in the Indenture.

   The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee,
with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding (as defined in the Indenture)
of all series to be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as in the
Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to
or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture
or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of the Securities of each such series; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such
supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, or
reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or reduce or impair or
affect the rights of any Holder to institute suit for the payment thereof or
any right of repayment at the option of the Holder, without the consent of the
Holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of
Securities, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such
supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Security
affected.  It is also provided in the Indenture that, with respect to certain
defaults or Events of Default regarding the Securities of any series, prior to
any declaration accelerating the maturity of such Securities, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount Outstanding of the Securities of such
series (or, in the case of certain defaults or Events of Default, all or
certain series of the Securities) may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series (or all or certain series of the Securities, as the
case may be) waive any such past default or Event of Default and its
consequences.  The preceding sentence shall not, however,

                                     -3-

<PAGE>   4
apply to a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any of the Securities.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of this Note
and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor,
irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or
such other Notes.

   No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the
Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this
Note in the manner, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or
currency herein prescribed.

   The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 at the office or agency of the Issuer
referred to on the face hereof and in the manner and subject to the limitations
provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes
may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other
authorized denominations.

   [The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer as a whole, or from
time to time in part, on any date after ________________ and prior to maturity,
upon mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Notes at their last
registered addresses, all as further provided in the Indenture, at the
following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of the principal amount)
together in each case with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption:

   If redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning _______________________,

           Year         Percentage        Year          Percentage
           ----         ----------        ----          ----------

[PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such optional redemption may be effected prior to
_______________ directly or indirectly from or in anticipation of moneys
borrowed by or for the account of the Issuer at an interest cost (calculated in
accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than _____% per
annum.]

   [The Notes are also subject to redemption, through the operations of the
sinking fund as herein provided on ____________ and on each ____________
thereafter to and including ____________ on notice as set forth above and at
100% of the principal amount

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5
thereof (the sinking fund redemption price), together with accrued interest to
the date fixed for redemption.

   As and for a sinking fund for the retirement of the Notes and so long as any
of the Notes remain outstanding  and unpaid, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee
in cash (subject to the right to deliver certain Notes in credit therefor as in
the Indenture provided), on or before _______________ and on or before
______________ in each year thereafter to and including an amount sufficient to
redeem $______________ principal amount of the Notes (or such lesser amount
equal to the principal amount then Outstanding) at the sinking fund redemption
price.

   At its option the Issuer may pay into the sinking fund for the retirement of
Notes, in cash except as provided in the Indenture, on or before _____________
and on or before __________ in each year thereafter to and including
_____________, an amount sufficient to redeem an additional principal amount of
Notes up to but not to exceed $____________ at the sinking fund redemption
price.  To the extent that the right to such optional sinking fund payment is
not exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any
subsequent year.]

   Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
above-mentioned office or agency of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes of
authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued
to the transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations provided in
the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge
imposed in connection therewith.

   The Issuer, the Trustee and any authorized agent of the Issuer or the
Trustee may deem and treat the registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner
of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any
notation of ownership or other writing hereon) for the purpose of receiving
payment of, or on account of, the principal hereof and premium, if any, and
subject to the provisions on the face hereof, interest hereon, and for all
other purposes, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any authorized agent
of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

   No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the
Issuer in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note,
or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be
had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor,
either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law,
statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or
by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6
expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof.

   Terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture shall have the
respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.

                                      -6-

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