United Drug, the publicly quoted pharmaceutical company, is being investigated by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) in relation to the importation of medicines in a method not in compliance with Irish regulations. The investigation was confirmed by the company and the board last night.
United Drug is Ireland's leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, supplying about 44 per cent of the market in the Republic and about 50 per cent of the market in the North. It said last night that one of its business units had engaged in the importation of licensed medicines from the UK market, which was contrary to regulatory requirements and to United Drug group policy.
"When the company became aware of this unacceptable activity, it was immediately discontinued and the company notified and made full disclosure to the Irish Medicines Board" it said in a statement, issued in response to queries from The Irish Times.
The IMB spokeswoman said it was important to highlight that the investigation was "not related to any safety or public health concerns". Instead it relates to a breach of regulations by United Drug in relation to the importation of medicines into the Irish market from abroad, she said.
The IMB would not give any further details about the details of its investigations. It operates detailed regulations in relation to the importation of drugs covering issues such as labelling and patient information leaflets and polices the market to ensure that these are complied with.
United Drug has contacted the manufacturers whose products are involved. It is now conducting its own "full comprehensive" internal investigation, the statement said. "United Drug is co-operating fully with the Irish Medicines Board and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time," the statement concluded.
It was not clear last night how much product was involved or for how long the importation being investigated had been going on. United Drug said that "inappropriate practices within the company will not be tolerated and the company has suspended an individual pending the outcome of the investigation".
United Drug, which supplies the healthcare sector in Ireland and the UK, has recorded strong growth in recent years, most recently reporting profits of €19.4 million in the six months ended March 31st, up from €16 million a year earlier. Turnover was up 15 per cent to more than €600 million.
