Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced on Thursday that it will carry out an in-depth Phase 2 investigation into the completed acquisition of pharmacy software provider TouchStore Limited by healthcare services group Uniphar plc.

The regulator stated that following a preliminary Phase 1 examination, a full investigation is required to determine whether the transaction could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the Irish market. Under competition law, the watchdog assesses potential merger impacts on market competition, pricing, consumer choice, and innovation.

Uniphar first announced its agreement to acquire TouchStore in January 2026. Although the deal fell below the mandatory notification thresholds based on turnover, the CCPC exercised its statutory "call-in" powers under the Competition Act 2002, as amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022. The move in March marked the first time the CCPC invoked these expanded powers to review a below-threshold transaction.

Because the acquisition was finalized prior to notification, the CCPC previously imposed interim measures requiring both companies to continue operating independently while the review is ongoing. Uniphar is one of Ireland's two full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers and operates retail pharmacy chains including Allcare Pharmacy, Hickey's Pharmacy, and McCauley Health and Beauty. Limerick-based TouchStore develops software used for dispensing and retail management across community pharmacies nationwide.

In a response to the decision, Uniphar stated that it has engaged actively with the regulator throughout the review process and will continue to cooperate during the Phase 2 investigation. Uniphar also noted that it reached an agreement with the CCPC allowing it to proceed with migrating its 134 owned retail stores to TouchStore's software platform while the watchdog completes its probe.