United Drug is a healthcare services provider. The Company has four segments: Pharma Wholesale, Supply Chain Services, Medical and Scientific, and Contract Sales and Marketing Services.United Drug provides commercialisation solutions to international healthcare companies. We specialise in supply chain, packaging, sales and marketing, medical and regulatory services. We operate in five major international markets, and employ over 7,000 people around the world

http://www.united-drug.com/home/

14 November 2012

United Drug plc

Preliminary Announcement of Results

Year ended 30 September 2012


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4483840

Pharmexx acquisition completes

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4481853

Those solid full year figures from Ireland based drugs wholesaler United Drug (UDG)
demonstrate the value of diversification,as the group- which is tackling austerity measures in Ireland - shifted into services and packaging for US pharmaceutical companies. That helped adjust operating profit rise 10% year on year to 84.4m euro
(£67.5m), with US operations contributing almost a third.
Broker Peel Hunt left its forecasts unchanged and expects adjusted pre-tax profit for 2013 of 75.6m euro, giving EPS of 25.6c. The full benefit of the Pharmexx acquisition will provide a further boost next year.

http://www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk/researchreports/UnitedDrug191112QV.pdf

Good 5% rise today

:-))

United Drug can cure ills


Ben Griffiths: Ireland-based healthcare services firm United Drug has recently shifted its listing from Dublin to London. With its near-£570million market capitalisation, the company was propelled straight into the FTSE 250 index in the last quarterly review.


United Drug has enjoyed a successful 2012 with growth dominated by an increased focus overseas. The shift – fuelled by a raft of recent acquisitions – means 70 per cent of earnings are now derived from outside Ireland. The stock has also gained around a quarter after it was announced that United Drug was moving its listing.


The shares, which hit a 52-week high of 287.25p earlier this month, are trading well above February’s low of 157.75p and are on a price/earnings ratio of 20 times, according to Reuters.


Analysts are hopeful that the trend for bigger pharmaceutical companies to outsource some non-core functions to cut costs will continue to benefit United Drug in 2013.


Among those analysts covering the stock, Jefferies rates it a buy along with Goodbody Stockbrokers, while Peel Hunt cut its rating from buy to hold in November. M&G is the biggest institutional investor with 14.7 per cent of stock.


Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2254395/2013-SHARE-TIPS-The-Mails-city-reporters-reveal-picks-coming-year.html#ixzz2GXDHB9JF
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The Daily Mail

■ Investment Extra: Dan Hyde says some market experts are bullish about prospects for equities this year, with professional investors suggesting stocks such as Howden Joinery Group (Last IC rating: Hold, 1 Mar), United Drug (Last IC rating: Buy, 14 Nov) and Dragon Oil (Last IC rating: Hold, 14 Aug) are worth watching.

Investec has initiated coverage of healthcare services provide United Drug with a 'sell' rating and 240p target price, labelling the group's recent share price rise as 'artificial'.

"United Drug's share price has risen by c.60% since it announced its intention to seek a sole Premium Listing in the UK. We think this news, and not business fundamentals, has artificially driven up the share price."

Interim Management Statement
RNS
RNS Number : 6485X
United Drug PLC
12 February 2013





UNITED DRUG PLC



INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT



12 February 2013: United Drug plc ("United Drug" or "the Group"), a leading international provider of healthcare services, provides the following Interim Management Statement covering the period from 1 October 2012 to the date of this announcement.



Trading across the Group during the period has been strong. Group revenues and profits for the three months to 31 December 2012 are ahead of the same period last year. Much of this growth has come in our international operations with the businesses outside of Ireland contributing in excess of 70% of group profits.



During the 2012 financial year, the Group announced five acquisitions. Four of the five businesses acquired have now been fully integrated. Final competition clearance for the fifth, the acquisition of Pharmexx GmbH (a multi-country contract sales outsourcing business) was received in November 2012 and the acquisition completed on 20 November 2012. Since its completion the Group has been implementing a detailed integration plan to standardise processes and procedures in the acquired business. Pharmexx has traded ahead of expectations throughout this period. The integration is progressing satisfactorily and will result in some restructuring costs being incurred to bring further efficiencies.



Quarter to 31 December 2012





SALES, MARKETING & MEDICAL



The division provides sales, marketing and medical services to multinational healthcare companies. Trading during the period has been good with revenues and profits ahead of the same period last year.



During the 2012 financial year our sales and marketing proposition was expanded significantly both organically and through acquisition. As mentioned, the integration of Pharmexx is nearing completion while Watermeadow, Drug Safety Alliance and Synopia, are all trading in line with or ahead of expectations and have been successfully integrated into this division.



The last financial year also saw the establishment of a joint arrangement in Japan to provide contract sales outsourcing services in the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world. This business has already had a number of contract wins, facilitating break-even earlier than originally forecast. This reinforces our views of the potential for this market.



United Drug is now one of the leading global providers of sales, marketing and medical services to the healthcare industry. Today those services are provided to over 200 multinational companies in more than 20 countries employing in excess of 4,000 people.









HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN



The division provides distribution services to healthcare companies and pharmacies in the UK and Ireland, employing over 1,000 people. Trading during the period has been good with revenues and profits ahead of the same period last year.



In our wholesale business revenues and profits are ahead of the same period last year in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This is a result of continued market share gains, helping to offset austerity measures, combined with operating efficiencies driven by on-going cost saving initiatives. Investment in additional automation will help to drive further cost savings and enable us to service the markets more efficiently.



Our Medical & Scientific business continues to trade very strongly with revenues and profits well ahead of the same period last year. Recent new business wins, both in the UK and Ireland, should see this performance continue for the remainder of the financial year.



Our pharmaceutical "specials" business in the UK continues to be impacted by the introduction of a drug tariff on the most popular products in this market. Revenues and profits for this business are below the same period last year. The drug tariff was first introduced twelve months ago so its on-going impact is reducing and the tariff has helped to remove uncertainty from this market. This together with new revenue streams being developed means that the longer term outlook for this business remains positive.





PACKAGING & SPECIALTY



The division provides outsourced packaging and clinical trials materials services for healthcare manufacturers in the US and Europe, employing over 1,000 people. The division also provides speciality homecare and distribution services in the UK and Ireland. Trading during the period has been strong with revenues and profits ahead of the same period last year.



Our US commercial packaging business, Sharp, continues to trade strongly and win business in a market that is seeing an increased demand for top quality outsourced packaging services. Revenues and profits in the business for the period are well ahead of last year.



Our European commercial packaging business is trading behind last year. However, with a number of new business wins that will start contributing later in the year and a reduced cost base, the outlook for this business continues to be positive. The European business is in the process of being re-branded, to maximise cross-selling opportunities between the US and Europe and leverage the strong equity of our existing brand. At the same time we are reviewing the optimal infrastructure configuration required to support the long-term growth of the European business.



In August 2012 the Group acquired Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies. This business has now been re-branded Sharp Clinical and adds clinical trials packaging, logistics and supply chain management services to our commercial packaging offering. These businesses are highly complementary and the acquired business has been successfully integrated with our commercial packaging offering.



Outlook



Based on the strong trading performance for the year to date and the outlook for the remainder of the year, the Group expects constant currency adjusted diluted earnings per share for the year to 30 September 2013, before non-recurring costs associated with acquisition activity and restructuring, to be between 5% and 8% ahead of last year.



The Group also expects to deliver another strong cash flow performance in the year, which coupled with modest debt levels relative to earnings and significant financing facilities available leaves the Group well positioned to support its future growth objectives both organically and through acquisition.

Not in his one, for those interested -

Half Yearly Report

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4591174

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------United Drug: Jeffferies moves target price from 310p to 340p and leaves its buy recommendation unaltered.

Closed up 9.43%

Investec lifts United Drug to reduce from sell, target raised from 240p to 320p

United Drug PLC (UDG:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 346.01. Over this period, the share price is up 114.37%.

Wow!..impressive performance since last Sept. nice one DC..well done!

Thanks sh,

United Drug acquires Expansis in Spain

RNS


RNS Number : 6879K

United Drug PLC

01 August 2013










UNITED DRUG PLC



United Drug acquires Spanish contract sales organisation



1August 2013: United Drug plc ("Group"), a leading international provider of healthcare services, announces that it has reached an agreement to acquire Expansis, a Spanish contract sales organisation, for a total consideration of up to €12m. The deal is expected to complete in September, subject to clearance by the Spanish competition authorities.



Transaction highlights



· Expansis is a leading contract sales business headquartered in Madrid, which provides outsourced services to a wide range of pharmaceutical companies in Spain. The business was established in 1995 and currently employs 280 people.



· Expansis is complementary to the Pharmexx Spain business unit, which the Group acquired as part of its acquisition in 2012 of Pharmexx (the global Contract Sales Organisation). It is intended to merge the two businesses, subject to approval from the Spanish competition authorities; however, until this concludes the two businesses will operate independently. Expansis will become part of the Sales, Marketing and Medical division of United Drug (which is known as the Ashfield division).



· The acquisition will be financed from the Group's internal resources and existing debt facilities and is expected to be earnings accretive in year one.



Commenting on the announcement, Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive of United Drug said:



"Expansis has an impressive track record, is well established in the Spanish market and will further strengthen United Drug's presence in this important market. With our combined resources and expertise, we look forward to building a market leading contract sales business in Spain."



ENDS

Interim Management Statement

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4646347

Numis ups target price from 375p to 400p, while downgrading to hold.

Acquisition of healthcare marketing business

RNS


RNS Number : 8123M

United Drug PLC

30 August 2013








United Drug acquires Canadian multi-channel healthcare marketing business



30 August 2013: United Drug plc ("Group"), a leading international provider of healthcare services, announces that it has reached an agreement to acquire the healthcare multi-channel marketing, call centre and sample management businesses from Medical Communications Group Inc. ("MCG"), for a total consideration of CAD$15.5m [c€11.2m]. The deal is expected to complete in the next six weeks, subject to the fulfilment of usual closing considerations.



Transaction highlights



· MCG is a leading multi-channel healthcare marketing business headquartered in Montreal, which provides outsourced services to over 60 pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in Canada.



· MCG specialises in multi-channel marketing, communications and sample and promotional material management services. The business was established in 1986 and currently employs c.60 people.



· United Drug has acquired MCG to build out its commercial proposition in Canada. This follows the acquisition of Pharmexx Canada, as part of its acquisition in 2012 of Pharmexx (the global Contract Sales Organisation). MCG will become part of the Sales, Marketing and Medical division of United Drug (which is known as the Ashfield division) and the existing management of MCG will remain with the business post-acquisition.



· The acquisition will be financed from the Group's internal resources and existing debt facilities and is expected to be earnings accretive in year one.



Commenting on the announcement, Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive of United Drug said:



"The acquisition of MCG is another example of United Drug bolting on complementary businesses to build scale, where we already have an existing market presence. MCG has established a reputation over many years as a highly innovative provider of promotional services and the MCG expertise in multi-channel marketing complements the field based capabilities of Pharmexx. With our combined resources and expertise we look forward to building a market leading service offering in Canada."



ENDS