25.8.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 202/5

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4301 — Alliance Boots/Cardinal Health)

(2006/C 202/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.

On 18 August 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which OTC Direct Limited (‘OTC Direct’, UK) controlled by Alliance Boots plc (‘Alliance Boots’, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of Cardinal Health U.K. 101 Limited and Cardinal Health U.K. 432 Limited (together ‘Cardinal Health UK’, UK) by way of purchase of assets and shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for OTC Direct: short-line wholesaling of pharmaceuticals,

—

for Alliance Boots: pharmaceutical wholesaling, retailing,

—

for Cardinal Health UK: short-line wholesaling of pharmaceuticals.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4301 — Alliance Boots/Cardinal Health, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.