United Drug’s scientific segment ‘performs as expected’

United Drug revealed this week that its scientific division performed in line with previous predictions during the fourth quarter of 2009.

The company’s profits within its healthcare supply chain segment were found to be ahead of those reported last year.

Additionally, its wholesale businesses in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland maintained their market-leading positions during the period.

Its scientific division is made up of two companies – Vector and Presearch.

The company has now forecast a strong start to 2010, declaring that its trading outlook is currently “encouraging”.

It continued: “After taking account of […] the investment in the current year in the UK homecare joint venture, the group expects profit before tax for the year to 30 September 2010 to be broadly in line with the prior year.”

In November, United Drug revealed that its revenue growth for the year ended September 30th 2009 was two per cent greater than expected, or five per cent ahead on a constant currency basis.