The Irish Medicines Board has revealed that more than three quarters of a million dosages of fake or illegal medicines were confiscated last year by customs’ officers after they were purchased online or via mail order.

Planning has been granted by An Bord Pleanála for a proposed Tesco Express and a Doc Morris pharmacy on the main Douglas Road in Cork city, by St Finbarr’s Hospital.

Uniphar, the Irish-owned pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution company, has reached agreement to buy aspects of fellow Dublin-based firm Cahill May Roberts for €50m.

DOCMORRIS is Ireland’s largest pharmacy retail group with 72 stores located across 15 counties, including the major centres of Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.