United Drug, the wholesaler of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, is poised to report double-digit earnings growth this year, in spite of a slowdown in capital equipment sales and confusion over drug reimbursement schemes in the Irish market.

In a bullish trading statement, the company on Friday said that its full-year figures, to be released next month, would be in line with current market estimates. Based on analyst forecasts, this would mean an operating profit increase of about 10 per cent to €66m (£52m). Last year the company made pre-tax profits of €56m on revenue of €1.6bn.