United Drug purchases contract sales organisation Expansis

United Drug has announced the acquisition of Spanish contract sales organisation Expansis in a deal that is expected to be completed in September 2013.

The deal has been valued at up to 12 million euros (10.33 million pounds) and will see United Drug take control of a leading contract sales business that provides outsourced services to a wide range of pharmaceutical companies in Spain.

Established in 1995, it employs around 280 people and will become part of the sales, marketing and medical division of United Drug when the acquisition terms are finalised.

Expansis will complement United Drug's Pharmexx Spain business unit – which the group acquired as part of its acquisition of Pharmexx in 2012 – and plans are in place to merge the two organisations.

Liam FitzGerald, chief executive of United Drug, said: "Expansis has an impressive track record, is well established in the Spanish market and will further strengthen United Drug's presence in this important market."

This comes after the firm made a number of strategic acquisitions last year, purchasing Drug Safety Alliance, Synopia, Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies and Watermeadow Medical in addition to Pharmexx.