German pharmaceutical trader Celesio has bought 63 pharmacies to expand its UK presence.

British subsidiary Lloydspharmacy acquired 29 pharmacies from Manichem, and a further 34 pharmacies are to be acquired from the Independent Pharmacy Care Centres chain (IPCC), which operates pharmacies in central and Northern England.

Lloydspharmacy now operates the largest close-supplying pharmacy chain in Great Britain, with over 1,600 pharmacies.

A Celesio spokesman commented " The pharmacies are a good strategic fit for the Lloydpharmacy portfolio as they focus strongly on prescription and services."