10 August 2007

In reporting first half year results for 2007, Celesio Group, the owner of the Lloydspharmacy chain in the UK, noted strong growth within its UK pharmacy operations as a result of increased demand for healthcare services including blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol testing.  Revenue through its UK pharmacies increased by 9.0% (7.0% in local currency) to 1,199.4m euros, with the division also benefiting from the acquisition of 84 pharmacies over the period.

At a Group level, in the six months to 30th June 2007, total revenue increased by 5.5% to 11,214.2m euros, while pre-tax profit increased by 5.7% to 308.0m euros.