OFT investigation into POM's

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC
9 October 2001

Issued on behalf: Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

Date: Tuesday 9th October 2001                    Immediate Release


                  OFT investigation into veterinary medicine



The Directors are aware of today's announcement by the Office of Fair Trading
into prescription-only veterinary medicine ('POM's').


In its press release (8.10.01), the Office of Fair Trading has expressed
concerns about the retail prices of POM's and possible restrictions of supply.
The Group supplies POM's only at the wholesale level, where it is able to
compete with all other wholesalers in the normal way and there are no unusual
supply restrictions.


The Directors have no reason to believe that wholesalers will be regarded as
contributing to any complex monopoly situation.




Following the completion of the report the Board will update shareholders.





Enquiries:

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

Gary Evans, Chief Executive

Tel: [phone]

or

Simon Evans, Group Finance Director

Tel: [phone] / mobile: [phone]