The competition watchdog has called in the acquisition of TouchStore Limited by healthcare services provider Uniphar plc, which was announced in January.

While the deal fell below the threshold that required mandatory notification, the CCPC now has the power – following the commencement of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 in September 2023 – to call in below-threshold mergers that it believes may impact competition in Irish markets.

Uniphar is one of two full line pharmaceutical wholesalers in Ireland and has extensive retail operations, including owning retail stores, franchise networks and buying groups. It owns the brands Allcare Pharmacy, Hickey’s Pharmacy and McCauley Health and Beauty.

TouchStore is a Limerick-based company that provides dispensing and retail management software to pharmacies across Ireland.

“Following requests for information, market research and information from engagement with third parties, the CCPC decided that this acquisition requires notification in order to examine its potential effect on competition,” the CCPC said in a statement.

“The CCPC will review whether owning TouchStore’s software would raise competition concerns in the wholesale pharmaceutical supply, pharmacy software and/or retail pharmacy sectors in Ireland.

“In order to fully assess the acquisition for potential competition harm, the acquisition will now require notification to the CCPC by 17 April 2026. The CCPC will then review the acquisition under its merger review process.”