Uniphar Acquires TouchStore: Expanding Digital Solutions for Irish Pharmacies

Irish pharmaceutical company Uniphar has acquired TouchStore, a Limerick-based provider of pharmacy and retail management software, in a deal finalized in January 2026. The acquisition aims to bolster Uniphar’s service offerings and drive digital innovation within the Irish pharmacy sector.

TouchStore’s History and Innovation

Founded in 2001 by Gerard Cassidy, TouchStore grew to become Ireland’s fastest-growing provider of pharmacy and retail management software, serving over 700 customers nationwide, including prominent brands like McCabes, Haven, O’Sullivan and CommCare [1]. Cassidy, a Claremorris native, comes from a family with a long history in the pharmacy business, with his parents operating chemist shops in Mayo, Limerick, and Ennis [2].

Prior to establishing TouchStore, Cassidy operated several successful pharmacies before selling them to Boots and McCabes [1]. He identified a need for specialized management software within the pharmacy sector and developed TouchStore to address this gap.

Uniphar’s Strategic Acquisition

Uniphar, a European medical device distributor, sees the acquisition of TouchStore as a key step in expanding its capabilities and supporting the ongoing digitization of the Irish healthcare system [3]. The company intends to integrate TouchStore’s software with its existing supply chain expertise to offer a comprehensive solution for pharmacies.

“Combining our supply chain expertise with dispensing and retail management software creates a compelling proposition, which will enable pharmacies to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve ordering and stock management,” said Ian Madden, managing director of Uniphar’s supply chain and retail division [3].

Continued Operation and Leadership

TouchStore will continue to operate as a separate legal entity following the acquisition, with the existing management and support teams remaining in place [3]. Gerard Cassidy will continue as managing director, leading the company’s future development and innovation.

Cassidy stated that Uniphar’s backing will enable TouchStore to further innovate and provide pharmacies with the support they need as the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the wider sector move towards digital operations [3].

Key Takeaways

• Uniphar has acquired TouchStore, a leading pharmacy software provider in Ireland.
• The acquisition will integrate TouchStore’s software with Uniphar’s supply chain expertise.
• TouchStore will continue to operate as a separate entity with Gerard Cassidy remaining as managing director.
• The deal supports the digitization of the Irish pharmacy sector.