SA Constitutional Court in March 2023 ruled in favour of the Independent Community Pharmacy Association, which argued that Clicks' ownership of Unicorn had violated regulations that prohibit pharmacies from owning drugmakers.

The disposal of Unicorn, expected to be completed by the end of this month, would allow Clicks to obtain new pharmacy licenses.

The Department of Health had stopped processing new Clicks pharmacy licenses in May 2023 and said it would only resume when the company had complied with the court ruling. "As part of a constructive engagement process with the Director General, Clicks Group proposed to regularise its position by divesting of its total shareholding in the manufacturing pharmacy, Unicorn Pharmaceuticals," Clicks said.

--Reuters--