Decision Nº M/04/020 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2004-07-15

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Uniphar,Whelehan
• Submitted Date: 08 April 2008
• Date: 15 July 2004
• Decision Date: 15 July 2004
• Status: None
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Number: M/04/020

15th July 2004

NEWS RELEASE

The Competition Authority clears UniPhar’s acquisition of

Whelehan Group

The Competition Authority announced today (15th July) that it w ill allow the

proposed acquisition by UniPhar plc (the parent company of the UniPhar Group)

of Ammado Limited, (the holding company for the Whelehan Group). Both

parties are involved in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical and

healthcare products.

The Competition Authority received notification of the proposed acquisition on

8th April 2004. The Authority has determined under the Mergers and

Acquisitions section of the Competition Act 2002 that the transaction will not

result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in any market for goods or

services in the State, and accordingly may be put into effect.

The Authority decided to carry out a full (Phase 2) investigation on 5th May

2004, having completed its initial (Phase 1) investigation. The Phase 2

investigation examined the competitive effect of the proposed acquisition on

the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to retail

pharmacies.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Mark Garrett, Communications Manager, The Competition Authority

Tel: 01 8045406 Mobile: 086 601 9655 email: mg@tca.ie

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR

The Parties involved in the transaction:

UniPhar plc is a pharmaceutical wholesaling company and the parent company

of the UniPhar Group. A number of Irish retail pharmacists own UniPhar plc.

The UniPhar Group has three main business divisions, all of which are active in

the wholesaling of pharmaceutical products and also in the distribution of

healthcare products in Ireland. The divisions are: UniPhar plc, a wholesaler of

human pharmaceutical products to pharmacies throughout the State; Allphar

Services Limited, an agent and distributor of specialist hospital medicines,

diagnostic agents and ethical pharmaceuticals, for many international

pharmaceutical manufacturers; and Surgicare Limited, a distributor of surgical

and other healthcare products to hospitals. UniPhar also operates the

Independent Pharmacy Ownership Scheme (IPOS), which was established in

2001 to provide financial assistance to pharmacists who wish to purchase their

own pharmacies.

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