United Drug's profit for fiscal year climbs 15%

Irish pharmaceuticals distributor and health care services company United Drug says that, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, its profit before tax increased 15% to 55.8 million euros ($82.8 million) with revenues growing 8% to 1.58 billion euros.

The firm said that, while sales in Northern Ireland and Ireland still account for 40% of its turnover, distribution in Europe, through several recently-acquired wholesalers (Marketletters passim), is becoming more important. UD's share price fell 3.3% to 3.25 euros on the day of the news.