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Uniphar’s TouchStore buy faces CCPC probe

The competition watchdog has decided to carry out an in-depth investigation into an acquisition in the healthcare-services sector.

Pharmaceutical wholesaler Uniphar, which also has extensive retail operations, announced in January that it was buying TouchStore, a Limerick-based company that provides dispensing and retail-management software to pharmacies across Ireland.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) subsequently used its new powers to ‘call in’ the acquisition, which fell below the threshold that required mandatory notification.

Interim measures

The CCPC later imposed interim measures requiring Uniphar and TouchStore to continue operating independently pending the outcome of its review.

After a preliminary examination, the CCPC has now decided that an in-depth, or Phase 2, investigation is needed to establish whether the deal will result in a substantial lessening of competition in Ireland.

Uniphar is one of two full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers in Ireland, while it also owns Allcare Pharmacy, Hickey’s Pharmacy, and McCauley Health and Beauty.