Acquisition

UDG Healthcare acquires market leading Healthcare Communications provider

27 February 2014: UDG Healthcare plc, a leading international provider of healthcare services, announces that it has agreed to acquire the healthcare communications business of KnowledgePoint360. The deal, agreed at a total cash consideration of $144 million [€105 million], is expected to complete by the end of March 2014.

Transaction highlights:

· Establishes UDG Healthcare as a market leader in the global healthcare communications market.

· Complements UDG Healthcare's existing global healthcare communications offering, which it provides through its Ashfield Division in the UK and the US.

· Enables further expansion in the US and Europe and provides a solid platform for future expansion elsewhere.

· The acquisition will be financed from existing cash facilities.

· Transaction includes the healthcare communications business of KnowledgePoint360, headquartered in Macclesfield in the UK and in Lyndhurst, New Jersey in the US. It employs over 600 staff across 10 global locations.

· It is estimated that the value of the gross assets being acquired will be $64 million (€47 million) at completion. These assets generate annual revenues of $106 million (€77 million), EBITDA of $20 million (€15 million) and EBIT of $16 million (€12 million).

· Acquisition expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

Commenting on the announcement, Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive of UDG Healthcare plc said: "We are delighted to make this announcement. KnowledgePoint360 is a significant strategic and complementary acquisition for UDG Healthcare, giving us a market leading position in the global healthcare communications sector and significantly enhancing the Ashfield offering to our clients."

"KnowledgePoint360 is a strong and well-established business, with an excellent management team and highly qualified work force that has a style and values similar to our own. Our Ashfield business has had great success with previous acquisitions in the healthcare communications market, including InforMed and Watermeadow. Expansion in healthcare communications and related business areas is a key part of our global growth strategy."

ENDS

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Notes to Editors:

About UDG Healthcare plc:

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, UDG Healthcare plc is a leading international provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmacies, with operations in 22 countries including the US, UK, Ireland and Germany.

The Group operates across three divisions: Ashfield Commercial and Medical Services, Supply Chain Services and Sharp Packaging Services.

Ashfield Commercial and Medical Services is a global leader in the provision of contract sales outsourcing services to pharmaceutical manufacturers with operations in major markets including continental Europe, the UK, North America and a presence in South America and Asia. The division provides sales teams, telesales, nurse educators, medical information, healthcare communications and event management services to healthcare companies in 22 countries. It focuses on supporting healthcare professionals and patients at all stages of the product life cycle.

Supply Chain Services includes the United Drug Supply Chain Services and the Aquilant Specialist Healthcare Services businesses. United Drug Supply Chain Services is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the island of Ireland. It is also the leading pre-wholesaler in Ireland and has achieved the No.1 position in the UK through its joint venture business UniDrug Distribution Group. The division provides logistics services to healthcare companies, pharmacies and hospitals in the UK and Ireland. Aquilant Specialist Healthcare Services is a leading provider of outsourced sales, marketing, distribution and engineering services to the medical and scientific sectors in Ireland and the UK.

Sharp Packaging Services is a leading international provider of pharmaceutical contract packaging and clinical trials materials services with facilities in the US, UK, Dutch and Belgian markets.

For more information go to: www.udghealthcare.com.

About KnowledgePoint360:

KnowledgePoint360 is a leading global provider of multi-channel healthcare communication services and is headquartered in Macclesfield in the UK and Lyndhurst NJ in the US. It employs over 600 staff across 10 global locations (five in the US, four in the UK and one in Germany).

In 2007, the current owners ABRY Partners acquired KnowledgePoint360 from Thomson Reuters.

KnowledgePoint360 is principally a healthcare communications business, including medical education, publication support, thought leader engagement and scientific content development, with a complementary meetings management division. These services are normally sold to global pharmaceutical companies across the medicines life cycle but, in particular, at the pre-launch stage to educate key influencers about the therapeutic category and the relevant products being brought to market.