United Drug has acquired the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA), the Leeds-based medical advisory service and vaccines distributor with 60 staff, for £15m. United Drug will pay and inital £14.5m in cash, with an additional payment of up to £4.5 subject to performance over the next two years. United Drug has also made a minority 25% investment in the Northern Ireland-based Medcare Group. The value of the investment was not disclosed. "The acquisition of MASTA is an exciting development for United Drug. MASTA, as a high quality service provider in the travel health field, considerably adds to our presence as a provider of healthcare services in the U.K. and will provide further opportunities for growth." said Chief Executive Liam Fitzgerald. [Dow Jones Press Release]
