Just made aware that the Ramsey Health has overcome regulatory...

Just made aware that the Ramsey Health has overcome regulatory hurdles to acquire the Malouf Group of 55 pharmacies. Could be the last straw in the pharmacy ownership/control battle to keep Coles and Woolworth out of the picture. We now have a large multinational Australian ASX listed company which had no prior interest in retail pharmacy acquiring control over a significant banner group. Ramsey will not want to stop at the 55 pharmacies located in Queensland. Lessens the regulatory arguments against the supermarket giants now making plays to acquire Sigma or API.

Another significant threat is if CW seeks ASX listing which would give them access to investor funds to rapidly grow their network of pharmacies through acquisition. Their profile and success story would guarantee an very successful IPO.

EBOS, Sigma and API boards must now well and truly be facing the reality of imminent major changes to the retail pharmacy scene and potentially huge threats to their continued growth. The health of their business is of course based around the strength and loyalty of their own banner groups. I would imagine sensible behind the scenes discussion may have be happening for some time. I think at the moment the last thing any of them would want is to take on the CW business at anything but standard terms or even want to take them on at all.

I note Sigma's former CFO John Cullity is now to become CEO of EBOS in the New Year!