5th Jul 2006 09:00
United Drug PLC05 July 2006 UNITED DRUG ACQUIRES UK BASED VACCINES DISTRIBUTOR FOR Stg£19 MILLION United Drug plc, a leading provider of services to healthcare manufacturers andpharmaceutical retailers in the UK and Ireland today (Wednesday, 5th July 2006)announced that it has acquired the entire share capital of MASTA (MedicalAdvisory Service for Travellers Abroad Limited). MASTA is a leading serviceprovider in the travel health field, specialising in the sale and distributionof vaccines, medical information and clinical services. MASTA, based in Leeds, employs 60 people and sells direct to the medicalprofession occupational health departments of large organisations, and throughMASTA branded travel clinics throughout the UK. The Company has a longestablished high quality reputation for the provision of a comprehensive rangeof services to all parties involved in the vaccines market. The consideration for the acquisition of MASTA is Stg£14.5 million in cash,payable on completion, plus an additional consideration of up to Stg£4.5 millionpayable, based on achievement of agreed profit targets over the next two years. United Drug also announced that it has made a minority 25% equity investment inthe Medicare Group, a healthcare and retail organisation based in NorthernIreland. This investment secures and enhances a key business relationship in theNorthern Ireland market and reinforces the Group's commitment to supportingindependent pharmacists. Details of the consideration were not disclosed. Speaking today, United Drug's Chief Executive, Liam FitzGerald said: "The acquisition of MASTA is an exciting development for United Drug. MASTA, as a high quality service provider in the travel health field, considerably adds to our presence as a provider of healthcare services in the UK and will provide further opportunities for growth. "The acquisition of MASTA and our new Northern Ireland investment is further evidence of our ability as a Group to build on our existing expertise and broaden our offering of top quality services to our partners and customers in all the markets in which we operate". Ends. Wednesday, 5th July 2006 For reference: Liam FitzGerald Pauline McAlesterUnited Drug plc Murray ConsultantsTel: +353-1-4598877 Tel: +353-1-4980300 Investors and Analysts Mark Kenny or Jonathan NeilanK Capital SourceTel: +353-1-6315500 Note to Editors: United Drug was founded in 1948 and is a leading provider of services tohealthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers in the UK and Ireland,operating in four key business divisions: Pharma Wholesale; ContractDistribution Outsourcing; Contract Sales Outsourcing; and Medical & Scientific.The Company employs over 2,000 people through its operations in Ireland and theUK. United Drug is listed on the Irish and UK Stock Exchanges and has a marketcapitalisation of over €700 million. The Company has a long-term high growthearning track record, reporting in excess of 18% compound annual growth over thepast five years. United Drug acquired four UK companies in last 14 months - In2Focus Sales Development, a leading provider of contract sales services in the UK market (2nd June 2005). - TD Packaging Limited, a UK based leading provider of primary and secondary packaging solutions to the international pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturer industries (10th June 2005). - Presearch Limited, a high quality UK based laboratory distributor supplying some of the leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutions (30th June 2005). - Endoscopy UK Limited and Mediscope Limited, together known as Endoscopy is a high quality UK-based medical distributor, specialising in the sales and technical support of flexible endoscopy equipment (8th May 2006). United Drug's operations Strategic Positioning: Pharma Wholesale - No. 1 Wholesaler (Ireland and Northern Ireland) Contract DistributionOutsourcing - Pharma No. 1 Distributor to Wholesalers and Hospitals (UK and Ireland) - Consumer No. 1 in Cosmetic and Photographic products (Ireland) Contract SalesOutsourcing - No. 1 Service Provider (UK and Ireland) Medical & Scientific - No. 1 Biotech Supply Company (Ireland)Growing business in the UK. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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