Healthcare services firm United Drug said this morning that it expected its operating profit and earnings for the year to the end of September to be in line with market expectations and ahead of last year.
In a trading update, the company said it had experienced good trading conditions and strong growth in each of its four division during 2006.
United Drug said that the three acquisitions completed in the second half of 2005 - In2Focus, TD Packaging and Presearch - are now integrated as part of the group and each has achieved its first year target.
In the current financial year, United Drug made two more acquisitions in the UK - Endoscopy UK and MASTA.
'The group remains positive about the fundamental dynamics driving consumption of goods and services in healthcare in our core markets and about our positions within those markets,' United Drug said in its trading statement.
'The group continues to see opportunities to expand our manufacturer services businesses, both organically and through acquisitions,' it added.
United Drug is due to report its annual results on November 22.
United Drug shares closed unchanged at €3.50 in Dublin.
