CCPC Calls In Uniphar‑TouchStore Deal, Orders Arm’s‑Length Operation

*TL;DR The CCPC has called in Uniphar’s acquisition of TouchStore and ordered the software firm to be run independently during the competition review.

Context Uniphar plc, one of Ireland’s two full‑line pharmaceutical wholesalers, completed the purchase of Limerick‑based pharmacy‑software provider TouchStore Limited in January 2026. The deal fell below the turnover thresholds that normally trigger mandatory notification to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). In March 2026 the CCPC exercised its power to call in the transaction, citing possible effects on wholesale drug supply, pharmacy software and retail pharmacy markets.

Key Facts - The CCPC received formal notice of the acquisition after its call‑in decision. - Although the merger did not meet mandatory notification limits, the regulator can intervene in below‑threshold deals it deems potentially anti‑competitive. - Interim measures require Uniphar to keep TouchStore as a separate legal entity and to transact with it on an arm’s‑length basis, meaning all dealings must reflect market terms as if the companies were unrelated. These safeguards aim to prevent any undue advantage while the CCPC assesses the merger.

What It Means Operating TouchStore independently limits Uniphar’s ability to leverage the software platform to favour its own pharmacies or to disadvantage rival wholesalers. The arm’s‑length rule also preserves the option to unwind the deal if the CCPC finds competition concerns. For Uniphar, the measures may delay integration benefits such as data sharing or coordinated pricing strategies. For the pharmacy sector, the intervention maintains a level playing field while the regulator gathers evidence on market impact.

The CCPC’s review will focus on whether ownership of a dispensing‑management system could give Uniphar undue insight into competitors’ operations or enable preferential treatment of its retail network. The outcome will set a precedent for future low‑turnover acquisitions in the health‑care supply chain.

What to watch next The CCPC is expected to issue a final decision later this year; stakeholders should monitor any conditions imposed on the merger or potential divestiture requirements.