United Drug, the healthcare products group, expects further strong growth this year, following a 22 per cent rise in profit before tax and exceptional items, to €8 million (£6.3 million) in the six months to March 31st 2000.

UniDrug, its joint venture in the UK contract distribution market, is "making rapid progress" and the group is "very optimistic about the prospects" for the recently acquired Ashfield Healthcare, the second largest contract sales outsourcing company in the UK, said chairman, Mr Martin Rafferty.

Sales grew by 19 per cent to €352.8 million in the first six months while fully diluted earnings per share increased by 22 per cent to 25.12 cents.