Pharmacy Pulse Report Q2 2021

Covid Vaccinations

At the end of June, as the incidence of the Delta variant increased in the population, pharmacists were allowed to administer the J&J vaccine to younger age groups to speed along the vaccine rollout. Pharmacists reported a huge demand for the vaccine, but noted significant supply issues

Merger

Haven Pharmacy and totalhealth Pharmacy have agreed to merge, following the approval of members. Haven currently has 49 pharmacies and totalhealth 78 throughout Ireland. The merger will enable the combined entity, which will trade as CommCare Pharma, to manage a supply chain value in the order of €200m per annum. Fitzgerald Power advised on the deal.

Chemist Warehouse

Chemist Warehouse, Australia’s biggest pharmacy chain, has signed a 10-year lease on the former Hickey’s Home Focus store on Henry Street in Dublin. It represents one of the first significant new lettings in a year when retail has been blighted by Covid uncertainty. The group has previously agreed a deal on another location in the capital and has plans for more outlets across the country

Consolidation

There was notable transaction activity amongst large corporate groups in Q2 2021 with Boots, McCauley’s and Uniphar all completing deals. Of these transactions Boots is potentially the most noteworthy. Their acquisition of Butler’s Medical Hall in Wicklow Town is the group’s first acquisition for 10 years, and marks a change in direction from the previous strategy of opening greenfield units.

Vaccinations

As of Wednesday 30th June, 4.17million vaccine doses had been administered in Ireland, meaning 63.2% of the adult population had received at least a first dose. This means that 3.2million doses were administered in Q2, which is a significant increase from the first quarter figure of 932,234. The government aims to have a vaccine available for everyone who wants one by the end of the summer.