McKesson UK, the parent company of LloydsPharmacy and wholesaler AAH, has been acquired by private equity firm Aurelius Group.

In a statement, published this morning (7 April), Mckesson said the completion of the sale marks ‘McKesson UK’s transition to a standalone UK business’.

The now separate UK business was formerly part of US-based parent company McKesson Corporation.

Along with LloydsPharmacy and AAH, Mckesson UK comprises of Trident, Enterprise, John Bell & Croyden, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor and LloydsDirect.

In July last year, Mckesson sold its European businesses to the Phoenix Group and in November announced the sale of its UK arm to Aurelius for £477m.

These moves, McKesson said at the time, were part of a broader enterprise strategy to fully exit the European region.

It added that the new ownership will enable the business to ‘expedite its business transformation strategy’ which includes a ‘digital transformation’.

Commenting on the sale, Toby Anderson, CEO of McKesson UK said: ‘The acquisition of McKesson UK by Aurelius Group marks the start of a new and exciting chapter for our business.

‘It will enable us to be more agile, focused on UK partnerships and patients, and gives us the opportunity to build on the progress we have already made in delivering our business strategy.’

He added: ‘We are on a mission to become the UK’s leading omni-channel healthcare provider and our new relationship with Aurelius means we will reach that aspiration sooner.’