04 April 2008

UniChem Acquires Central Homecare

UniChem is pleased to confirm that it has acquired Central Homecare, a provider of home healthcare services in the UK.

Central Homecare is an established provider of high-tech services to patients requiring management of complex drug therapies in their own homes, with the aim of improving their quality of life. It provides delivery of, and services for, patients requiring specialist medication related to specific therapy areas such as cystic fibrosis, nutrition, cancer, rheumatology, multiple sclerosis, sexual health, pain and endocrine disorders, which would otherwise be managed within the hospital environment.

The company is based in Alton, Hampshire and was established in 1994. It has its own warehousing and distribution capabilities and will continue to operate independently within the UniChem estate. Nick Payne, who has been with the company since its inception, will continue as Managing Director of Central Healthcare, reporting to Terry Scicluna, Managing Director of UniChem.

Terry Scicluna comments: “This is a new venture for UniChem, giving us a presence in a market that has previously by-passed the pharmaceutical wholesaler. The acquisition of Central Homecare will not impact upon the service that UniChem provides to its pharmacy customers – this remains the core part of our business. However, as experts in the pharmaceutical sector, we are in an excellent position to drive the Central Homecare business forward in the best interests of patient care. We are excited by the opportunities that this brings in terms of further developing our relationships with stakeholders across the supply chain.”

For more information please contact:
Helena Bate, Communications Manager, UniChem: 0208 974 4044