United Drug plc., a leading provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers, is delighted to announce that the Company will be an official supplier for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games, which will take place from the 9-13 June in Limerick.

In addition to providing a monetary contribution and medical supplies, this partnership will also include volunteering from United Drug employees and logistical support to the fantastic work of Special Olympics Ireland.

Speaking today, United Drug Chief Executive Liam FitzGerald said:
"I am delighted and proud that United Drug, as part of our ongoing corporate responsibility and community engagement programme, will be an Official Supplier for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games. We are also offering all employees the opportunity to volunteer for this uniquely worthy cause. This is an exceptional opportunity for us to contribute to the success of the Games and the celebration of Ireland’s talented athletes".

Special Olympics Ireland Fundraising and Sponsorship Manager, Ciara Tallon said:
"We are delighted that United Drug have come on board as an Official Supplier for the Games. It is also fantastic that they are also further supporting our athletes through a staff volunteer programme and logistical support amongst other initiatives. Such support will go a long way to ensuring that the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games are a huge success".

About United Drug plc:
Listed on the Stock Exchanges in London and Dublin, United Drug is a leading international provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers, with operations in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and the USA.

The Company operates across three divisions, Healthcare Supply Chain, Packaging & Speciality Services, and Contract Sales & Marketing Services.

In Healthcare Supply Chain, United Drug is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the island of Ireland. It is also the market leader in contract distribution outsourcing (pre-wholesaling) in Ireland and has achieved the No. 1 position in the UK through its joint venture business UniDrug Distribution Group (UDG). The Company provides specials medicines manufacturing and distribution services in the UK. Through its medical & scientific operations, United Drug provides sales & marketing and technical service solutions, including contract distribution services to a wide range of medical & scientific equipment & consumable manufacturers, with a market leading position in Ireland and an emerging presence in the UK.

In the Packaging & Speciality division United Drug is a leading international provider of pharmaceutical contract packaging services with facilities in the US, UK, Dutch and Belgian markets. The Company also provides speciality distribution and homecare services in the UK and Ireland.

In the Contract Sales & Marketing Services division United Drug is the leading provider of contract sales outsourcing services to pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK and Ireland and has a growing presence in the US market. United Drug also provides related marketing services to pharmaceutical manufacturers in each of these markets.

About Special Olympics Ireland:
Special Olympics Ireland is a year round sports training and competition programme for people with an intellectual disability. The benefits of participation in Special Olympics extend beyond the physical benefits of sport; it’s about team spirit, friendships and fun; it’s about a feeling of belonging and a sense of being part of a community. Special Olympics changes lives in so many different ways, enabling people with an intellectual disability to achieve and win not only in sport but in life too.

The 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games will take place from 9-13 June in Limerick. In one of the biggest sporting events to take place in Ireland this year 1,900 Special Olympics athletes from the four corners of Ireland will travel to Limerick to compete in 13 sports in various venues around Limerick.

For more information please visit: www.specialolympics.ie

Photographs to accompany this release:
Launching United Drug as Official Supplier of the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games are:
Eamonn Clifford and Amy Quinn from Bray Lakers Athletics Club
Tomás O’Leary, Irish Rugby International
Liam FitzGerald, Chief Executive, United Drug
Ciara Tallon, Fundraising and Sponsorship Manager, Special Olympics Ireland