Boots and Alliance bullish over merger
Boots and Alliance Unichem expect their proposed merger to go ahead despite a challenge from Germany’s Celesio.
“The two companies intend to seek permission to intervene formally in the proceedings in support of the Office of Fair Trading. Both companies remain confident of a satisfactory outcome to the regulatory review process,” Boots said in a statement .
Last week pharmaceuticals trader Celesio asked the UK’s Office of Fair Trading, who have given conditional clearance to the merger, to question the plans.
“The public rely on community pharmacy as a frontline health service. We believe that such a significant change to the market requires further consideration,” Celesio said.
Alliance and Boots said they would back the OFT in the proceedings.
Boots statement added ” Both companies remain confident of a satisfactory outcome to the regulatory review process”
