The UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) today launched an investigation into the impact on the cost of medicines to patients and the NHS after Pfizer’s controversial deal to sell drugs in the UK solely through one wholesaler.

Alliance Boots today said it had signed contracts for the sale of almost all of the pharmacies it put up for sale in the wake of its £7bn (€10.5bn) merger.

The proposed merger of Boots and Alliance UniChem overcame a major hurdle today after regulators gave the deal provisional clearance.

High street retailer Boots looks set to merge with Alliance Unichem in a bid to head off competition from supermarkets selling medicines and toiletries, according to newspaper reports today.

THE 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand is expected to cost €8 million, which will be raised in sponsorship and licensing opportunities.