United Drug Seeks Inclusion in FTSE UK Index

United Drug plc

UNITED DRUG SEEKS INCLUSION IN FTSE UK INDEX SERIES

In recent years, United Drug plc ("United Drug" or "the Company" or "the Group") has significantly grown its international operations and has seen a substantial increase in the presence of international investors on the Company's share register. As announced in the Company's interim management statement of 14 August 2012, the Board has been reviewing the listing arrangements for shares in United Drug, in line with the Company's ongoing strategy to increase its international presence.

The Board believes that FTSE UK index inclusion would result in a further increase in international investor awareness of United Drug and is therefore in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Company anticipates that if shares in United Drug were only listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) they should be eligible for the FTSE UK Index Series, provided the Company maintains the Premium Listing of its Ordinary Shares on the LSE and that there is adequate trading liquidity of the Company's shares on the LSE.

Having completed its review, the Board has concluded that United Drug shares should be delisted from the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE).Therefore, with effect from the close of business on 3 October 2012, being 20 business days following today's request for cancellation being made to the ISE, United Drug's Ordinary Shares will be cancelled on the Irish Stock Exchange's Main Securities Market pursuant to ISE Listing Rule 1.6 ("the Cancellation"). The Cancellation is not subject to the approval of shareholders.

United Drug will retain the Premium Listing of its Ordinary Shares on the Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority ("UKLA Official List") and its Ordinary Shares will continue to be traded on the main market for listed securities of the LSE. The Ordinary Shares trade in Sterling on the LSE and this will continue unchanged.

Following the Cancellation, United Drug will continue to adhere to the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code, pre-emption rights and, as far as practicable, the UK Takeover Code and will remain subject to all of the super-equivalent regulatory obligations consequent to its continued Premium Listing on the UKLA Official List. Accordingly the Cancellation will have no material effect on the shareholder rights and investor protections currently applicable to an investment in United Drug and existing share certificates will remain valid. There will be no impact on the amount or the timing of any dividend payments as a result of the Cancellation. Shareholders may continue to opt to receive their dividends in either Euro or Sterling.

As a result of this change, United Drug anticipates it should be eligible for the FTSE UK Index Series, provided it maintains the Premium Listing of its Ordinary Shares on the UKLA Official List and meets the FTSE requirements prior to the FTSE quarterly review on 12 December 2012. The FTSE Nationality Committee, which considers the qualification of shares for index eligibility, meets next on 13 November 2012. Subject to the independent deliberations of the FTSE committees, United Drug would expect to be included in the FTSE All-Share index after the close of business on 21 December 2012.

Commenting on the news, Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive, said:

"We believe that the changes to the listing arrangements will increase the Group's attractiveness to a wider international investor base and are a natural progression for United Drug, given the international nature of the business. These changes will have no impact on the business operations of United Drug and United Drug will remain headquartered, incorporated and tax-resident in Ireland."

Ends 6 September 2012

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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 over 20 countries including: the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the USA. 

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 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. 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.

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