DUBLIN, April 28, 2026 — Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has formally opened a review of Uniphar plc’s acquisition of pharmacy software company TouchStore Limited, marking the first time the authority has exercised its power to call in a below-threshold merger.
The deal, completed in January 2026, fell below the turnover thresholds that normally trigger mandatory merger notification. However, the CCPC decided in March to require notification after concluding the transaction could potentially affect competition in Irish markets.
Interim measures imposed
While the review is ongoing, the CCPC—together with Uniphar—has implemented interim measures requiring TouchStore to operate as a separate business and to interact with its new parent company on an arm’s-length basis.
According to the authority, the measures are designed to limit potential anti-competitive effects and preserve the possibility of unwinding the transaction if concerns arise during the investigation.
Potential competition concerns
The CCPC said it will examine whether the acquisition could affect competition in several areas, including:
- wholesale pharmaceutical supply
- pharmacy management software services
- retail pharmacy markets in Ireland
Uniphar is one of two full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers in Ireland and also operates extensive retail pharmacy interests, including the brands Allcare Pharmacy, Hickey’s Pharmacy and McCauley Health and Beauty.
TouchStore, based in Limerick, supplies dispensing and retail management software used by pharmacies across Ireland, making it an important provider of digital infrastructure for the sector.
First use of new merger powers
The investigation follows the introduction of expanded merger control powers under the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into force in September 2023 and allows the CCPC to call in mergers that fall below notification thresholds if they may impact competition.
Before issuing the call-in, the authority gathered information from both companies through formal requests.
The CCPC emphasized that the call-in does not prejudge the outcome of the merger review, which will assess whether the acquisition could substantially lessen competition in Irish markets.
Source: https://www.ccpc.ie/business/ccpc-notified-of-uniphars-acquisition-of-touchstore-following-call-in/
