Kuraya Sanseido Inc., the country's largest drug wholesaler, said Friday it will acquire two rivals, marking the latest profit-driven realignment within the sector.
Kuraya Sanseido will acquire Fukuoka-based Atol Co. and Hiroshima-based Everlth Co. in April by allocating Kuraya Sanseido shares to the shareholders of the two companies.
With annual combined sales of 1.63 trillion yen, the new company will claim a 23 percent share in the domestic prescription drug market, with the move likely to accelerate the consolidation trend seen in the last few years.