Unichem founded by Ernest Skues to serve independent pharmacies. It began with just 100 members
The first Service Centre opens in Tooting, South London – Unichem looks for ways to help make the independent pharmacist’s life easier
First van delivery service is introduced. Today we have over 1,940 vechicles helping to serve our customers across the UK
Nuneaton Service Centre starts trading.
Leeds Service Centre opens
This year sees Unichem convert to a Friendly Society (Co-op)
Wales has it’s own dedicated site with the opening of Swansea Service Centre.
Exeter Service Centre opened.
In 1977, the pharmaceutical wholesaler Alleanza Farmaceutica was founded in Italy by Stefano Pessina
Hinckley Service Centre opened
NWOS is founded
Alliance Healthcare opens a new Service Centre at Letchworth
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.
South Normanton Central Service Centre is built to assist the East Midlands.
Newcastle Service Centre opened.
OTC Direct formed
Following a merge between the UniChem group and Alliance Santé, Alliance UniChem was formed in 1997.
Cavendish pharmaceuticals opened after moving from a small building in Jury Street, Leigh near Manchester
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.
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.
In 2006, Boots and Alliance UniChem merged, forming Alliance Boots.
Alphega Pharmacy launches in the UK, capitalising on the success already achieved across Europe
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.
Alliance Boots rebrands as Alliance Healthcare
To support the business growth we open a new central service centre Nottingham.
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.
UDG (Unidrug Distribution Group) is rebranded to Alloga UK Ltd and joins the Alloga pan-European network
We expand operations in Northern Ireland with the opening of the Belfast Service Centre.
We expanded our support for Dispensing Doctors through the acquisition of Forte, also the launch of our Service Centre at Coatbridge, Scotland