United Drug recognises the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the way it manages its business. We understand our responsibilities to our employees, customers and suppliers, shareholders, the environment and the community at large, therefore, commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards is embedded throughout the organisation. The Group’s reputation and the trust of its stakeholders are the foundation of its success and are of fundamental importance for the future success of the organisation.

At United Drug, we believe that our people are our most significant asset and are a key competitive advantage. We are committed to investing time and resources in development initiatives across the Group to assist all to achieve their full potential.

We run a range of development programmes including cross jurisdictional people development projects to ensure that we harness the great strength and diversity that exists across the Group and to ensure that we are developing and utilising that diversity as a strategic resource.

United Drug is a forward thinking employer and sees the benefit of good people practices in our continuing success. We are committed to continually developing a professional environment where achievement is recognised and development is supported.

United Drug is committed to providing a working environment which ensures the highest standards of health and safety for all of our internal and external stakeholders, employees, suppliers, customers and the environments and communities in which our businesses operate. Accordingly, our aim is beyond compliance with the national standards of the health & safety authorities in those jurisdictions in which our businesses operate.

Working in a manner which promotes a safe and healthy professional environment for all our stakeholders is a principle that we regard as a cornerstone of our business and we constantly seek to improve our health & safety systems and initiatives.

We play a leading role in the provision of healthcare services and work closely with independent pharmacists and local healthcare providers to advise and inform the communities we serve. Our business contributes to supporting the best level of care to patients and acts in their best interests.

The Group is committed to providing the highest quality services and developing and maintaining long-standing relationships with our customers and suppliers.

As part of our commitment to quality, we have made significant investment to ensure the highest industry standards for packaging, storage and delivery of products are maintained and we ensure our people adhere to the highest quality standards.

United Drug is committed to the conservation of the environment. We ensure that relevant statutory requirements and the highest standards are adhered to and good environmental practice is applied in managing our business and providing services to our customers.

Across the Group, we operate re-use and recycle programmes and engage with suppliers and customers to reduce unnecessary packaging. We actively participate in the Irish Repak packaging waste management and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) schemes. We also operate programmes to collect, and safely dispose of, non-recyclable waste, ensuring responsible disposal in collaboration with regulators.

We constantly seek to limit energy usage and are committed to reducing the Group’s carbon footprint. During the year the Group undertook projects which successfully reduced related carbon emissions. The Group remains committed to further reducing its carbon footprint and continues to explore ways through which this can be achieved.

We believe that a responsible approach to developing relationships between companies and the communities they serve is a vital part of delivering business success. Therefore, we support local community and charity initiatives both financially and by the sharing of our time and skills. The Group also actively encourages and supports participation by employees in such projects.

During the year, United Drug was an official medical supplier for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games. In addition to providing medical supplies, this partnership also included the provision of logistical support, a monetary contribution and volunteering by employees. The Games, which were held in Limerick during June, were one of the biggest sporting events to take place in Ireland during 2010, and were a great success.

Education and the welfare of children remains an important focus for the Group. During the year, the Group continued to facilitate employees participating in the Business in the Community and Junior Achievement programmes.

Businesses across the Group also continued to engage in activities to support and benefit their local communities. Ashfield In2Focus supported local initiatives through its Worthy Causes Fund, raising money for the fund through various fund-raising activities. Staff at Ashfield In2Focus also donated their time, volunteering at local charity events, including events for the charity Wishes 4 Kids. The Specials Laboratory assisted local charities through donations made to the Community Foundation. Employees from across the Group participated in various fund raising activities to assist a wide range of worthy causes. The Group also sponsored two employees to climb Jebel Toubkal, Morocco to raise funds for the Dublin Simon Community.

Additionally, the Group continued to support Liam FitzGerald in his capacity as a board member of the Barnardos’ ‘Learning through Poverty’ Campaign and in his role as Chairman of Traidlinks.

United Drug remains committed to further improving its CSR programme, as it believes in the value of good corporate social responsibility practices for the Group and for all stakeholders.