On July 31, 2026, the Slovak competition authority (PMÚ) approved a merger that grants joint control to UNIPHARMA - 1st Slovak Pharmacy Joint Stock Company and Litostratus Cooperative over a group of 13 pharmacies from the FARMAKOL group. Additionally, UNIPHARMA and KROUP s.r.o. will jointly control another group of 13 FARMAKOL pharmacies.

Although formally two transactions, PMÚ assessed them as a single concentration due to their nature, timing, and process connections, as well as the common acquirer UNIPHARMA and existing personal, familial, and financial ties among the participants.

In its assessment, PMÚ found no significant horizontal or vertical competition concerns. The activities of the participants in the public pharmacy sector did not overlap significantly, and the market share increase was negligible. Furthermore, there are sufficient competitors in the market, including vertically integrated groups like Dr. Max and BENU.

PMÚ also considered that UNIPHARMA is acquiring 26 pharmacies out of approximately 1,800 public pharmacies in Slovakia, alongside the presence of several established competitors in the wholesale distribution of medicines and medical supplies.

Based on these findings, PMÚ concluded that the merger does not raise competition concerns. The decision became final on August 11, 2026.