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Our History

Our History

Alliance Healthcare is one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors in Europe. But we didn’t start out that way. Our story begins over 80 years ago in the UK, when the UniChem group was founded in 1938.

1938

1938

1938

Unichem founded by Ernest Skues to serve independent pharmacies. It began with just 100 members

1945

Interpharm founded

1945

The first Service Centre opens in Tooting, South London – Unichem looks for ways to help make the independent pharmacist’s life easier

1947

S.A.F.A founded

1947

First van delivery service is introduced. Today we have over 1,940 vechicles helping to serve our customers across the UK

1960

ANZAG founded

1960

Nuneaton Service Centre starts trading.

1964

UniChem group founded

1964

Leeds Service Centre opens

1969

Alleanza Farmaceutica founded

1969

This year sees Unichem convert to a Friendly Society (Co-op)

1972

1972

1972

Wales has it’s own dedicated site with the opening of Swansea Service Centre.

1976

1976

1976

Exeter Service Centre opened.

1977

Alleanza Farmaceutica founded

1977

Alleanza Farmaceutica founded

In 1977, the pharmaceutical wholesaler Alleanza Farmaceutica was founded in Italy by Stefano Pessina

1982

Alleanza Farmaceutica founded

1982

Hinckley Service Centre opened

1987

1987

1987

NWOS is founded

1990

1990

1990

Alliance Healthcare opens a new Service Centre at Letchworth

1991

Alliance Santé formed

1991

Alliance Santé formed

The Alliance Santé group was formed in 1991 by a merger between Alleanza Salute Italia and two French
pharmaceutical wholesalers.This year also saw the UK acquire the Moss group, a UK retail chain of pharmacies.

1993

1993

1993

South Normanton Central Service Centre is built to assist the East Midlands.

1994

1994

1994

Newcastle Service Centre opened.

1996

1996

1996

OTC Direct formed

1997

Alliance UniChem formed

1997

Alliance UniChem formed

Following a merge between the UniChem group and Alliance Santé, Alliance UniChem was formed in 1997.

1999

S.A.F.A acquired

1999

Cavendish pharmaceuticals opened after moving from a small building in Jury Street, Leigh near Manchester

2003

Interpharm acquired

2003

Changing the way the generics medicines industry had operated, the UK launched the Almus brand pioneering high quality generic medicines in functional, patient-safe packaging.

2005

Alliance buys into ANZAG

2005

Alliance UniChem acquired the Alloga pan European logistics company to support its growing network plus the Bairds Chemist retail business to become established in Northern Ireland.

2006

Alliance Boots formed

2006

Alliance Boots formed

In 2006, Boots and Alliance UniChem merged, forming Alliance Boots.

2007

2007

2007

Alphega Pharmacy launches in the UK, capitalising on the success already achieved across Europe

2008

2008

2008

Alliance Healthcare UK expands its portfolio of offerings to both healthcare professionals and healthcare companies by purchasing Central Homecare which later became Alcura. Clinical trials and out sourced patient care are offered as a result.

2009

Alliance Boots rebrand

2009

Alliance Boots rebrand

Alliance Boots rebrands as Alliance Healthcare

2011

ANZAG and Hedef acquired

2011

To support the business growth we open a new central service centre Nottingham.

2014

2014

2014

After the merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots in 2014, following a strategic partnership in 2012, Walgreens Boots Alliance was formed, creating the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. The UK acquired UDG to support its growing network providing logistics and specialist supply chain solutions to the healthcare sector.

2015

2015

2015

UDG (Unidrug Distribution Group) is rebranded to Alloga UK Ltd and joins the Alloga pan-European network

2016

Hedef Alliance rebrands

2016

We expand operations in Northern Ireland with the opening of the Belfast Service Centre.

2017

2017

2017

We expanded our support for Dispensing Doctors through the acquisition of Forte, also the launch of our Service Centre at Coatbridge, Scotland

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