United Drug reports double-digit growth

United Drug said today first-half operating profit and earnings rose by a double-digit percentage.

United Drug said today first-half operating profit and earnings rose by a double-digit percentage.

United Drug, Ireland's biggest drug wholesaler, experienced "good trading conditions and revenue growth" in all of its four business units in the six months through March 31st, the Dublin-based company said.

Consumption of medicines is growing "strongly" in Ireland, it said, adding that it expects the strength of current trading to continue into the second half of the financial year.

United Drug shares rose 6 cent, or 1.6 per cent, to €3.74 on the Irish Stock Exchange this morning, giving the company a market value of €863.6 million.