Peter Gray Succeeds Ronnie Kells as Chairman

United Drug plc

Mr. Peter Gray Succeeds Mr. Ronnie Kells as Chairman

On 3 January 2012, United Drug plc ('the Company') announced the planned retirement of its Chairman Mr. Ronnie Kells following the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting on 7 February 2012, and the appointment of Mr. Peter Gray as Chairman Designate to succeed Mr. Ronnie Kells. Following today's Annual General Meeting, Mr. Ronnie Kells has retired from the Board and Mr. Peter Gray has taken over as Chairman of the Company.

Mr. Ronnie Kells was appointed Chairman in October 2005 having served as a Non-Executive Director of the Company since 1999. 

Mr. Peter Gray has been a Non-Executive Director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Gray is Vice Chairman and former Chief Executive of ICON plc and is also a Non-Executive Director of Danica Life Limited.

Ends 7 February 2012

For reference:

Karen Geoghegan

Company Secretary

Tel: +353-1-4632300 

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 and the US.

The Company operates across three divisions, Healthcare Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing & Medical and Packaging & Specialty.

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, with a market leading position in Ireland and an emerging presence in the UK.

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

Further information on United Drug plc is available on the Group's website,

www.united-drug.com.