Competition authority launches review of Uniphar's acquisition of Limerick's Touchstore

CCPC to examine if pharmaceutical wholesaler Uniphar's bid to acquire Limerick-based  dispensing software firm TouchStore may impact competition in Irish markets

Ger Cassidy, managing director of TouchStore; and Ian Madden, managing director of Uniphar's Supply Chain and Retail Division.

The competition authority has launched a review of Irish pharmaceutical wholesaler Uniphar's bid to acquire Limerick-based dispensing software firm TouchStore.

In January, Uniphar announced the acquisition of Touchstore, which provides dispensing and retail management software to pharmacies across Ireland. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

TouchStore employs 35 developers and support staff in its Limerick office. The company is led by founder Ger Cassidy.

However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said it is calling in the acquisition for review. It said while the deal fell below the threshold that required mandatory notification, the CCPC has the power under the Competition Act 2002, as amended, to ‘call in’ below-threshold mergers it believes may impact competition in Irish markets.

The CCPC said Uniphar was one of two full line pharmaceutical wholesalers in Ireland and had extensive retail operations, including owning retail stores, franchise networks and buying groups. It operates the brands Allcare Pharmacy, Hickey’s Pharmacy and McCauley Health and Beauty.

It said following requests for information, market research, and information from engagement with third parties, the CCPC decided the acquisition required notification to examine its potential effect on competition.

“The CCPC will review whether owning TouchStore’s software would raise competition concerns in the wholesale pharmaceutical supply, pharmacy software and/or retail pharmacy sectors in Ireland,” it said.

The acquisition will now require notification to the CCPC by April 17, after which it will then review the acquisition under its merger review process.

In a statement, Uniphar said it noted the decision by the CCPC adding that it will continue to engage with the Commission throughout this notification process.

“TouchStore continues to operate as a separate legal entity with its existing management and support teams in place and appropriate data segregation safeguards, to ensure the continued confidence of its existing and future customers,” the company said.

“Uniphar is confident that the absence of any market overlap between Uniphar’s and TouchStore’s existing offerings, coupled with measures which the businesses have already implemented in the interests of their existing customers means the transaction is pro-competitive and will realise significant benefits for Irish community pharmacies.”

Last month, Uniphar reported a 9% increase in gross profit to €457.7m during its 2025 financial year, with revenue reaching over €3bn. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) hit €131m — an increase of 6% year-on-year.

The increase in organic growth profit was the fastest since the company’s initial public offering in 2019.

Growth in its pharma segment was driven by strong growth in global sourcing and clinical trial supply, while its medtech segment saw sustained growth in core markets, geographic expansion with existing suppliers, and the rollout of new suppliers across established regions.

Its supply chain and retail segment saw gross profit growth of 4.2%. Its retail pharmacy network expanded by 37, to 482, pharmacies in the year.