Research & Innovation

Pharmaceutical wholesaler United Drug has announced a €40 million investment in technology and innovation at its headquarters at Citywest in Dublin. The company employs more than 650 staff across its four facilities in Citywest, Swords, Ballina and Limerick and said the investment would increase distribution by almost two-thirds, with plans for further expansion over the next three years.

The investment will centre on enhancing systems and technologies at United Drug’s headquarters to further support the business in providing healthcare solutions to pharmacies. Work on phase one of the investment – an upgrade of the company’s 300,000sq ft warehouse facility – has been completed. The company said the upgrades had “exceeded expectations”.

Phase two will involve an upgrade of the warehouse’s temperature control as well as enhancements of its IT systems, including digital services and data analytics. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Managing director Paul Reilly said the investment in technology was “critical” to maintaining operational and quality standards in terms of stock range, customer service and delivery. “At any one time, we have 30 million packs in our Dublin warehouse,” he said. “We run a huge operation that, for the more than 1,800 pharmacies we serve – many twice a day – it’s important that operations are as tightly scheduled and as efficient as possible to ensure that important medicines reach patients when they need them.

“Our systems are more technologically advanced than our competitors, and, despite the tough and challenging market we operate in, we will continue to invest and innovate so as to provide a sustainable healthcare platform for our customers and maintain our strong track record.

“That we have more than doubled our efficiency over the past two years, and are already seeing a return on this latest investment, means that our customers can continue to get the excellent service that they have come to expect from United Drug, and more.”