United Drug: Yes to name change

Dublin-based international healthcare services group, United Drug will formally change its name to UDG Healthcare by the end of next month, following receipt of shareholder approval for the identity switch yesterday.

Management initially announced its plan to change the group’s name — in order for it to act as a more neutral umbrella label for a growing number of divisions and subsidiaries (the United Drug name will remain for the group’s Irish drug wholesale business) — in May.

The move follows the group’s decision — late last year — to further align itself with a growing international customer base by de-listing from the Iseq in favour of a full share listing in London.