AAH Pharmaceuticals / MASTA and Sangers merger

Following the EC’s decision to partially refer the McKesson/UDG Healthcare merger to the CMA, the CMA investigated the UK aspects of the transaction - the acquisition by AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an entity within McKesson, of 2 entities within UDG Healthcare, MASTA and Sangers.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
28 January 2016
Last updated
10 August 2016 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Healthcare and medical equipment, Pharmaceuticals, Retail and wholesale
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 1 clearance
Opened:
8 January 2016
Closed:
10 August 2016

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date Action
10 August 2016 Decision published
29 June 2016 Decision announced
1 June 2016 Revocation of the initial enforcement order
1 April 2016 Initial enforcement order
8 March 2016 Notice of extension published
8 March to 22 March 2016 Invitation to comment
3 March 2016 Launch of merger inquiry
22 January 2016 CMA request for referral made
8 January to 15 January 2016 Invitation to comment issued

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

29 June 2016: The CMA has cleared the acquisition by AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an entity within McKesson, of 2 entities within UDG Healthcare, MASTA and Sangers. The full text of the decision is available below.

Revocation of initial enforcement order

1 June 2016: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA revoked the initial enforcement order. A copy of the order is available below.

Initial enforcement order

1 April 2016: The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on McKesson UK Finance I Limited and McKesson Corporation (together referred to as McKesson Corporation) and AAH Pharmaceuticals Limited (AAH) in relation to McKesson’s proposed acquisition of two entities within UDG Healthcare plc, Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad Ltd (MASTA) and Sangers (Northern Ireland) Ltd (Sangers).

Amendments/consents granted

Notice of extension of the preliminary assessment period

Invitation to comment: Now closed

8 March 2016: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

7 March 2016 : On 3 March 2016, the CMA launched its phase 1 investigation following the European Commission’s decision to refer the case to the United Kingdom under Article9(2) of the EC Merger Regulation.

CMA request for referral

22 January 2016: The CMA has made a request to the European Commission to refer McKesson’s proposed acquisition of the united drug division and other associated businesses of UDG Healthcare to the CMA for investigation.

Invitation to comment: Now closed

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

Tobe Nwaogu
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

Tobe.Nwaogu@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 28 January 2016
Last updated 10 August 2016 + show all updates

  1. Full text of the decision published.

  2. Clearance decision announced.

  3. Revocation order published.

  4. Revocation of initial enforcement order announced.

  5. Derogations published.

  6. Timetable updated.

  7. Derogation and notice published.

  8. Derogation published.

  9. Derogation published.

  10. Derogation published.

  11. Initial enforcement order published.

  12. Timetable updated.

  13. Invitation to comment issued and notice published.

  14. Launch of merger inquiry and timetable updated.

  15. Request for referral published.

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