5th Oct 2006 07:00
United Drug 2006 Trading Update UDG.I UDG.L Dublin, London, October 5, 2006: United Drug plc (•UD• or the •Group•), aleading provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmaceuticalretailers in the UK and Ireland, today issued the following Trading Update inadvance of its results for the year to 30 September, 2006. The Group willannounce preliminary results on 22 November, 2006. Period in Review United Drug has experienced good trading conditions and stronggrowth in each of its four divisions during 2006. Our Northern Ireland wholesalebusiness has seen market growth in 2006 return to more normal levels followingthe reduction in the price of prescription medicines imposed in 2005 through thePharmaceutical Price Regulation System (PPRS) in the UK. Our UK ContractDistribution joint venture, UDG, has experienced particularly strong growth inthe year following the completion of major infrastructure development and newbusiness wins last year. The three acquisitions completed in the second half of 2005, In2Focus, TDPackaging and Presearch are now effectively integrated as part of the Group andeach has achieved its first year earn-out target. In the current financial year,UD has made two additional acquisitions in the UK market. The acquisition ofEndoscopy UK reflects the continuing ability to bolt-on high quality medicaldistribution specialists to an established physical, management and sharedservices back office support infrastructure. With the acquisition of MASTA, aleading service provider in the travel health field specialising in the sale anddistribution of vaccines, we have continued to pursue the strategy of broadeningthe range of services provided to our healthcare manufacturer partners in oursupply chain services business. Outlook Operating profit and earnings for the year to 30 September 2006 shouldbe in line with current market expectations and ahead of last year. The Groupremains positive about the fundamental dynamics driving consumption of goods andservices in healthcare in our core markets and about our positions within thosemarkets. The Group continues to see opportunities to expand our manufacturerservices businesses, both organically and through acquisition. About United Drug plc United Drug is a leading provider of services tohealthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers in the UK and Ireland. Itis the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the island of Ireland. UD is alsothe market leader in contract distribution outsourcing (pre-wholesaling) inIreland and has achieved the No. 1 position in the UK through its joint venturebusiness UniDrug Distribution (UDG). In addition to contract distribution services for pharma manufacturers, UnitedDrug provides contract distribution, sales & marketing and technical services toMedical & Scientific equipment & consumable manufacturers, with a market leadingposition in Ireland and an emerging presence in the UK. United Drug is also a leading provider of contract sales outsourcing services topharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK and Ireland. \* TInvestors and analysts Media-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Kenny or Jonathan Neilan Pauline McAlesterK Capital Source Murray ConsultantsTel: +353 1 631 5500 Tel: +353 1 498 0300Email: Email: [email protected]@kcapitalsource.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------\* T Copyright Business Wire 2006Related Shares:
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