Acquisition

MCBRIDE PLC
22 September 1999

                                  McBride plc

        EXPANSION INTO THE U.K. OVER THE COUNTER PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET


McBride  plc  ('McBride'),  the leading European supplier  of  retailer  brand
household and personal care products announced today an offer to purchase  the
80%  of the equity of Wrafton Laboratories Limited ('Wrafton'). Wrafton is the
leading  independent European over-the-counter ('OTC') pharmaceutical contract
manufacturer, supplying multi-national branded goods companies and is  a  fast
growing  major supplier of retailer brand OTC pharmaceuticals to UK retailers.
The  offer which values the whole of the equity at £21.6 million is structured
to provide McBride with 80% of the equity share capital with the three founder
directors  retaining  20%.  McBride has received irrevocable  undertakings  to
accept  the  offer from Wrafton shareholders owning in excess of  90%  of  the
equity  share capital to be acquired (excluding the 20% being retained by  the
founder  directors).  McBride will be in a position to acquire any outstanding
minorities.

The  consideration comprises an initial payment of £17.3 million for  80%  the
share capital of Wrafton payable in cash on completion.  An additional payment
for the remaining 20% of the shares will be made at a future date and based on
the profit performance of the company.  The three full time directors Mr Brian
Sherwin,  Mr Mike Forfitt, and Mr Doug Birghall, will remain with the business
and  have  signed new employment contracts and will own the 20% of the  equity
not being acquired.

A  strategic  review  by McBride of the opportunities  for  expansion  of  its
product  range  identified OTC medicines as an important  and  growing  market
sector. The purchase of Wrafton is McBride's first strategic move outside  its
existing  household  and personal care sectors and will provide  a  base  from
which  to  build its business in the OTC medicines market. The acquisition  of
Wrafton  will increase the Group's sales in UK by 10% and provides a  platform
for future growth in this dynamic sector.

The UK OTC market was estimated to be worth around £1.6 billion at RSP in 1998
and  grew by 6.9% versus 1997.  The UK is one of Europe's largest OTC  markets
and  the  combination  of  higher  NHS  prescription  charges,  the  increased
propensity  of  consumers to self-medicate and the growing  awareness  of  the
efficacy,  safety  and  value  of OTC pharmaceuticals  will  ensure  continued
growth.  Wrafton operates in the three main sectors of the OTC market,  namely
oral  analgesics, gastro-intestinal, and cold/flu remedies, all of  which  are
experiencing  solid  growth. In addition, UK supermarkets  have  strategically
grown their share of traditional chemist products as a source of growth.  Part
of  their  product  offer is the development of retailer  brand  alternatives.
Over  the last two years UK grocers have raised their share of the OTC  market
from  28% to 34% and within these sales retailer brand has increased from  18%
to 21%.

The  most recent audited accounts for Wrafton are for the year ended 30  April
1999.   These  accounts showed a profit before taxation of  £1.75  million  on
turnover  of  £25.8 million. The net assets of Wrafton at 30 April  1999  were
£3.3 million. The estimated net debt at acquisition is £2.5 million.

Commenting on the acquisition, McBride's Chief Executive, Mike Handley, said:

'The  purchase of Wrafton is an exciting opportunity for McBride and makes  us
the  leading  European independent supplier of contract and retail  brand  OTC
pharmaceutical products. Wrafton's technical and manufacturing expertise  will
enable McBride to benefit from the expansion of this growth sector.

We  expect that Wrafton will be earnings enhancing in its first full  year  as
part of McBride.'


Contact:
Mike Handley, Chief Executive           01494 607050
Terry Monks, Group Finance Director     01494 607050
McBride plc

Andrew Dowler                           0171 831 3113
Financial Dynamics