Celesio has received the all-clear from the Competition and Markets Authority for its acquisition of the Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical wholesaler United Drug Sangers.
Celesio has already acquired other businesses owned by United Drug Sangers’ parent company UDG Healthcare: United Drug, a wholesaler; TCP, a home healthcare provider, both based in the Republic of Ireland; and MASTA, a Leeds-based travel healthcare business.
United Drug Sangers will merge with existing Celesio wholesaler AAH Pharmaceuticals, which also has operations in Northern Ireland.
Peter Surgenor, previous managing director of United Drug Sangers, will now manage both businesses. He says: “Sangers has been delivering excellence to pharmacy for over 150 years and with AAH Pharmaceuticals we have a new opportunity to bring together scale and expertise with first class service and relationships.”
“The integration process will take some time, but this is a great opportunity to combine the best features of both businesses,” he adds.
Celesio owns 14 Lloydspharmacy premises in Northern Ireland; United Drug Sangers does not own any pharmacies.
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