Response to Competition Comm.

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC
20 September 2002

Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Limited, Birmingham

Date: Friday 20 September 2002                                 Embargoed: 7.00am



                           Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

  Inquiry into supply of prescription-only medicines: statement of provisional

           conclusions on complex monopoly and hypothetical remedies



The Directors of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC ('Dechra') have noted the
announcement issued on 17 September 2002 by the Competition Commission, relating
to provisional conclusions on the existence of a complex monopoly and
hypothetical remedies in the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines
('POMs').

The Commission provisionally concluded in the 'Statement of Issues' released on
16 April 2002 that a scale monopoly exists in favour of National Veterinary
Services ('NVS'). However, 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 commented:

'We are continuing to co-operate fully with the Commission's inquiry. Whilst the
proposals are still potentially open to change, we believe that the hypothetical
remedies are unlikely to have any material impact on the performance of our
trading subsidiary, NVS.

Furthermore we believe Dechra is in a strong position to service and support the
requirement of our existing and new customers if and when change is implemented.

We look forward to the Commission's final report due in January 2003, and as
indicated in our Preliminary result's statement issued this month, we will
continue to update shareholders as soon as any new or relevant information
becomes available.'

The Competition Commission is expected to submit its Report to The Secretary of
State for Trade and Industry on 8 January 2003.



Enquiries:

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

Simon Evans, Group Finance Director                  Katie Dale

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC                           Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: [phone]                                    Tel: [phone]

www.dechra.com


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