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.

Uniphar has released statement noting the decision of the CCPC and stating that it has actively engaged with the CCPC throughout its review process to date and will continue to do so as part of the Phase 2 investigation.

Uniphar has also agreed with the CCPC that it may proceed to migrate its 134 owned Hickey’s, McCauleys and Allcare stores to the Touchstore platform while the CCPC concludes its review.

TouchStore continues to operate as a separate legal entity with its existing management and support teams in place and appropriate data segregation safeguards, to ensure the confidence of existing and future customers.

Uniphar concluded its statement that it: “remains confident that the absence of any market overlap between Uniphar’s and TouchStore’s existing offerings, coupled with measures which the businesses have already implemented in the interests of their existing customers, means the transaction is pro-competitive and will realise significant benefits for Irish community pharmacies.”