Section 172(1) statement 

The Company continues to be true to its purpose while playing a fundamental role in the provision of medicines and healthcare services across the UK. When making any decisions, during the year ended 30 September 2025, the Directors considered, both individually and together, the matters set out in section 172(1)(a-f) and have acted in a way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole. Below are some of the ways in which the Directors have engaged with various stakeholders and fulfilled their duty under this section.

Employees: All staff and Directors were employed and paid on behalf of the Company by a fellow Group undertaking and the Company is recharged for their services. The Directors consider employee engagement a critical factor in the long-term sustainable success of the Company. The Company has a number of different employee forums with the aim of assessing employee engagement levels and identifying key concerns that have representation of all areas and locations of our business. A number of actions have been implemented during the year including various employee welfare related improvements at the Company's facilities. Development programmes have taken place throughout all sites for first line managers and team members. The Company also has an e-learning platform with an expanding suite of learning modules.

Creating healthier futures starts with the health of team members, and as a purpose-driven company, the health and well-being of team members is fundamental to the Company. The Company is also committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and treat the people behind the organisation with dignity and respect so that they feel supported, appreciated and valued both inside and outside of work. This aligns to our wider global aspiration of fostering a global workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, by creating pathways for every team member to thrive, making a positive impact on our communities. The Company also conducts mandatory learning to every team member to build a foundation of knowledge. The Company continues to support employee resource groups, including the WIN (UK) Chapter, which aims to foster an inclusive environment where women and allies can connect, collaborate, learn and support one another in their personal and professional development. Through this network, the Company has strengthened community engagement, supported development opportunities and championed its members.

The Company recognises important events locally that connect with our team members throughout the year such as Pride month, Black History month, Diwali, global inclusion day and International Women’s Day to name a few so that team members feel connected, supported and proud to be their true, authentic selves in and outside of the workplace.

Customers: The Directors strongly believe in treating customers fairly and providing them with safe and quality products and a superior service. The Company has adopted multiple ways to engage with customers, these may include events, face-to-face interactions and surveys. A customer survey is undertaken annually and the results reviewed by the Directors. The Directors use these processes to understand the views of the customers and consider the impact of their decision on customer’s interest.

Suppliers: The Directors aim to ensure that the Company operates fairly, transparently and with integrity in its dealing with its suppliers and views these relationships as of significant importance to the future success of the Company. The Company engages with its suppliers through multiple channels, both formally and informally. These channels include direct bilateral contact through commercial relationships, together with associate membership of the HDA (Healthcare Distribution Association). Engagement is through a combination of formal activity (procurement, contractual SLA reviews and other contact defined in contracts) and informal activity (ad hoc meetings, strategic reviews, etc.). These engagements provide the Directors with a broad and diverse understanding of supplier priorities and allows them to take into account the interest of suppliers while making decisions.

Community: The Directors value an open dialogue with the communities in which the business operates. This allows the Directors to understand how these communities view the business and the emerging needs of these communities. It also enables the Directors to take into account the impact of their decisions on these communities. The Company, either directly or through its associated companies, engages with the wider community through multiple means which could include social media, charity events, and engagement with various associations, among others.

The Company partners with International Health Partners (IHP) to provide essential medicines to hard to reach places around the world. Through this partnership the Company managed the Essential Health Packs packing program. Each pack contains around 800 treatments comprising a broad assortment of over-the-counter and prescription medicines: from antibiotics and painkillers to anti-inflammatories and medications for chronic conditions.

Environment: The Company considers the care of the environment as an integral part of running a responsible and successful business. Measures to reduce CO2 emissions have been implemented through investments in technology and lower emissions vehicles. To further reduce environmental impact, the Company is introducing HVO for its LGV fleet, transitioning the entire vehicle fleet to operate on HVO rather than diesel. All of the Company’s energy is sourced via 100% renewable energy and no waste is sent to landfill.