Alliance Boots acquires megapharm in Germany

Alliance Boots has today acquired a 90% stake in megapharm GmbH, a specialised German distributor of oncology products. The acquisition, which has recently been approved by EU competition regulators, will enable Alliance Boots to enhance its position in the specialty drugs sector.

Based in Sankt Augustin, near Bonn, megapharm provides a range of specialised wholesaling and logistics services for oncology products. It is the only wholesaler in Germany to supply the full range of oncology drugs. The revenue for megapharm for the year ended 31 March 2008 was approximately £235 million. Within Alliance Boots, the new business will become part of the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division which is led by Ornella Barra, Board Member and Wholesale & Commercial Affairs Director of Alliance Boots.

A 10% stake in megapharm will be held by Dr. Matthias Ackermann, its current Chief Executive, who will continue to lead the business.

Stefano Pessina, Executive Chairman, Alliance Boots, commented: "This significant acquisition in the highly attractive oncology segment of the market will further extend the range of specialist added-value services we offer our manufacturer and pharmacist customers and is in line with our strategy of broadening our wholesaling services beyond traditional pharmaceutical wholesaling."

For further information, please contact:

Yves Romestan / Zoe Farthing, Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 871569

James Murgatroyd/Kirsty Flockhart, Finsbury
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7251 3801