Healthcare service provider United Drug expects earnings per share for 2012 to be between 5 and 8 per cent higher than the previous year.

Group revenues and profits in the last three months of 2012 were ahead of the same period in 2011, the group said yesterday in a trading statement, as business outside Ireland contributed more than 70 per cent to profit growth.

The group made five acquisitions in 2012, four of which have been full integrated and the clearance of its latest purchase, Pharmexx, is being awaited.

In its interim statement to the Irish Stock Exchange ahead of yesterday’s annual general meeting, the company said it expects a “strong cash flow performance” and “modest debt levels relative to earnings” in the coming year.