AGM Chairman's Statement

UNITED DRUG PLC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Dublin, London, 17 February 2011: United Drug plc (the 'Group') this morning issued an Interim Management Statement and the following is a summary of that Statement.

The Group has made a very good start to the new financial year with all divisions trading well and particularly strong growth in our US businesses. Group revenues and profits for the three months to 31 December 2010 are ahead of last year and internal expectations, with continued strong cash flow generation. More than 60% of profits are being generated outside of Ireland.

Based on trading for the year to date, the outlook for the remainder of the year and current exchange rates, the Group expects earnings per share for the year to 30 September 2011 to be ahead of last year.

The Group has strong cash flows and low levels of debt relative to those cash flows and can use this financial strength to support its future growth objectives both organically and through additional bolt-on acquisitions.

ENDS Thursday, 17 February 2011

For reference:

Liam FitzGerald Pauline McAlester

Barry McGrane

United Drug plc Murray Consultants

Tel: +353-1-4632300 Tel: +353-1-4980300

About United Drug plc

Listed on the Stock Exchanges in London and Dublin, United Drug is a leading international provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers, with operations in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and the USA. 

The Company operates across three divisions, Contract Sales & Marketing Services, Healthcare Supply Chain and Packaging & Speciality Services.

In the Contract Sales & Marketing Services division, United Drug is the leading provider of contract sales outsourcing to pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK and Ireland and has a growing presence in the US market. United Drug also provides related marketing services to pharmaceutical manufacturers in each of these markets.

In Healthcare Supply Chain, United Drug is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the island of Ireland. It is also the market leader in contract distribution outsourcing (pre-wholesaling) in Ireland and has achieved the No. 1 position in the UK through its joint venture business, UniDrug Distribution Group (UDG). The Company provides specials medicines manufacturing and distribution services in the UK. Through its medical & scientific operations, United Drug provides sales & marketing and technical service solutions, including contract distribution services to a wide range of medical & scientific equipment & consumable manufacturers, and has a leading market position in Ireland and an emerging presence in the UK.

In the Packaging & Speciality division United Drug is a leading international provider of pharmaceutical contract packaging services, with facilities in the US, UK and Dutch and Belgian markets. The Company also provides speciality distribution and homecare services in the UK and Ireland.

For more information go to www.united-drug.ie