United Drug recognises the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the way it manages its business. We understand our responsibilities to our employees, customers and suppliers, shareholders, the environment and the community at large, therefore, commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards is embedded throughout the organisation. The Group's reputation and the trust of its stakeholders are the foundation of its success and are of fundamental importance for the future success of the organisation.

At United Drug, we believe that our people are our most significant asset. We are committed to engaging with our employees on a personal and proactive basis and to investing time and resources in development initiatives across the Group to assist all to achieve their full potential.

Our people are a key competitive advantage as their interaction with clients and customers demonstrate the quality and professionalism of our services. The diversity of our workforce is a further advantage and we are committed to harnessing the strength which this brings to the Group.

During the year, a restructuring and cost reduction programme was implemented which incorporated a redundancy programme. United Drug endeavoured to complete the redundancy programme on a voluntary basis and provided assistance to employees who left the Group.

As a group, we remain committed to investing in and developing our people so that they continue to be a driver for future growth.

United Drug is committed to providing a working environment, with the highest regard for the health and safety of our employees, customers, suppliers and the community at large in all jurisdictions in which we operate.

We ensure compliance with relevant statutory requirements and best practice guidelines issued by national health and safety authorities. We implement and promote appropriate safe working practices and ensure the sharing of best practice across the Group.

We play a leading role in the provision of healthcare services and work closely with independent pharmacists and local healthcare providers to advise and inform the communities we serve. Our business contributes to supporting the best level of care to patients and acts in their best interests.

The Group is committed to providing the highest quality services and developing and maintaining long-standing relationships with our customers and suppliers.

As part of our commitment to quality, we have made significant investment to ensure the highest industry standards for packaging, storage and delivery of products are maintained and we ensure our people adhere to the highest quality standards.

United Drug is committed to the conservation of the environment. We ensure that relevant statutory requirements and the highest standards are adhered to and good environmental practice is applied in managing our business and providing services to our customers.

Across the Group, we operate re-use and recycle programmes and engage with suppliers and customers to reduce unnecessary packaging. We actively participate in the Irish Repak packaging waste management and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) schemes. We also operate programmes to collect, and safely dispose of, non-recyclable waste, ensuring responsible disposal in collaboration with regulators.

We constantly seek to limit energy usage and are committed to reducing the Group's carbon footprint. The Group is currently exploring ways through which it can reduce its carbon footprint and various projects have been undertaken across the organisation to facilitate this assessment.

We believe that a responsible approach to developing relationships between companies and the communities they serve is a vital part of delivering business success. Therefore, we support local community and charity initiatives both financially and by the sharing of our time and skills. The Group also actively encourages and supports participation by employees in such projects.

Ashfield In2Focus is one of the many group companies that engages in activities to support and benefit the local community. The company operates a Worthy Causes Fund, which aims to support local initiatives, education and young people. Funds are raised by staff and clients through sponsorship and fundraising events. During the year, this fund purchased a caravan for the charity, 'Wishes 4 Kids' to assist the charity provide family holidays.

Education and the welfare of children is also an important focus for the Group. During the year, the Group continued to facilitate employees participating in the Business in the Community and Junior Achievement programmes. Sangers also strengthened relationships with schools in the local community through their 'Time to Compute' and 'Time to Read' programmes.

During the year, United Drug supported the initiative by Age Action Ireland, The Irish Pharmacy Union and the Road Safety Authority to distribute 200,000 free high visibility vests to older people, by delivering the high visibility vests to our pharmacy customers through our national delivery service. In addition this national delivery service was used to assist in delivering donation packs to pharmacies on behalf of the Asthma Society of Ireland and to collect old mobile phones from pharmacies on behalf of the Jack and Jill foundation.

Additionally, the Group supports Liam FitzGerald in his capacity as a Board member of the Barnardos' 'Learning through Poverty' Campaign and his role as Chairman of Traidlinks.

Traidlinks is an initiative focussed on supporting SME's in the developing world through training and skills development. Private sector development will play a critical role in poverty eradication and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

United Drug remains committed to further improving its CSR programme, as it believes in the value of good corporate social responsibility practices for the Group and for all stakeholders.