Formalises Joint Venture with CMIC in Japan

UDG Healthcare formalises Joint Venture with

CMIC in Japan

1st October 2014: UDG Healthcare plc ("the Group"), a leading international provider of healthcare services, announces that it has formalised its existing partnership with CMIC by creating a new Joint Venture ("JV") company to fully service the Japanese contract sales organisation ("CSO") market. This agreement formalises the existing successful partnership with CMIC, which began in 2012 and the new JV which will be called CMIC Ashfield will provide a platform for future growth within the Japanese market.

Background

· UDG Healthcare will acquire a 49.9% stake in CMIC MPSS ("CMIC), from CMIC Holdings.

· CMIC MPSS & Ashfield Japan have been working in partnership since Autumn 2012 and have developed a proposition that combines the experience and expertise of one of the leading international CSOs with the local knowledge, together with the capability of one of Japan's leading CSOs.

· By leveraging the expertise of both businesses, CMIC Ashfield aims to change the direction of the CSO market in Japan by providing flexible, tailor-made, value-added and evidence-based solutions.

· The existing partnership has been very successful to date, achieving strong growth and reaching profitability ahead of schedule in H1 2014.

· The Joint Venture further strengthens UDG Healthcare's CSO business in Japan, and is in line with the group's overall strategy of expansion in growth markets.

Commenting on the announcement, Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive of UDG Healthcare said:

"Our partnership with CMIC in the Japanese market has already delivered excellent results and has far exceeded our initial expectations. CMIC is well established in the Japanese market and will further strengthen UDG Healthcare's presence in the second largest global pharmaceutical market. With our combined resources and expertise, we look forward to fully developing a market leading contract sales business in Japan providing evidence-based solutions for the healthcare industry."

ENDS

For reference:

Media:

Greg Lawless / Lisa Kavanagh

Powerscourt

Tel: +44-207-250-1446

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.

UDG Healthcare plc 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 on the island of Ireland, providing logistics services to healthcare companies, pharmacies and hospitals. It is also the leading pre-wholesaler in 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 CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.

The CMIC Group provides services to support mainly the development and also the manufacturing, sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products, health information to general consumers, develop our own diagnostics and orphan drugs, and a comprehensive range of other services.For details, please visit http://www.cmic-holdings.co.jp/e/