Competition CommissionInquiry

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC
16 April 2002


Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd, Birmingham

Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002

IMMEDIATE RELEASE




                           Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

  Competition Commission's Inquiry into Prescription Only Veterinary Medicines


In relation to the announcement issued today by the Competition Commission
relating to the inquiry into the supply of Prescription Only Veterinary
Medicines ('POM'), the Directors of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC wish to refer you
to the statement of 9th October 2001 in response to the Commission's initial
inquiry stating that the Directors have no reason to believe wholesalers will be
regarded as contributing to any complex monopoly situation, and they believe
this still to be the case.


The Directors are aware that the Competition Commission has today sent issues
letters to the main parties involved in its Prescription Only Medicines inquiry.
In doing this, it has also provisionally concluded that National Veterinary
Services Limited ('NVS') supplies at least 25% prescription only veterinary
medicines in the UK. The market share of NVS is well known and this provisional
finding does not convey any new information.


Following the requirement of the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Commission has
provisionally concluded that a scale monopoly, which is defined solely by
reference to a market share in excess of 25%, exists in favour of NVS. The
Commission makes it clear that this purely technical finding does not imply in
any way that this situation operates or might be expected to operate against the
public interest.


Ian Page, Chief Executive, Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC added:


'We are fully co-operating with the Commission's inquiry - NVS's market share
has grown organically since 1996 through operational efficiencies and more
importantly by providing the highest levels of service to our market which
remains highly competitive.'





Enquiries:

Ian Page, Chief Executive (07775 642222)             Fiona Tooley (07785 703523)

Simon Evans, Group Finance Director (07775 642220)     Katie Hall (07980 274790)

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC(R)                             Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: [phone]                                             Tel: [phone]

www.dechra.com




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