Uniphar is one of two full line pharmaceutical wholesalers in Ireland and it also owns 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.

Under competition law, the CCPC must assess certain mergers and acquisitions in order to prevent harmful effects on competition in the State. In doing so, the CCPC considers the potential impact of mergers and acquisitions on consumers, such as changes to price, consumer choice, quality and innovation.

Uniphar announced its acquisition of TouchStore in January 2026. While the transaction did not meet the thresholds for mandatory notification, the CCPC used its statutory power under the Competition Act 2002, as amended, to ‘call in’ below-threshold mergers that it believes may impact competition in Irish markets.

The deal was notified to the CCPC on 27 April 2026. Following a preliminary examination, the CCPC has decided an in-depth investigation is needed to establish whether the proposed transaction will result in a substantial lessening of competition in Ireland.

As the transaction was completed prior to its notification, the CCPC has imposed interim measures requiring Uniphar and TouchStore to continue operating independently pending the outcome of its review.