The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has said that it might have to recall some of the products involved, following its investigation into imports of some medicines by United Drug which did not meet proper regulations.

The IMB is investigating United Drug for importing medicines from the UK without the necessary licences. There is no danger to public health, the IMB has emphasised. The company itself is co-operating fully with the investigation.

United Drug is the biggest importer and distributor of pharmaceutical and related products in this country. However, it is understood that the drugs it imported were not manufactured by companies whose products it is already distributing here.

It is understood that the investigation does not have major financial implications for the company. It is not known how many drugs, and what quantities, are affected. Just one of United's business units is being investigated.

Yesterday, Mr Jim Canavan, chief executive of Uniphar, which owns United's biggest competitor, Allphar said that the investigation raised serious questions for the industry as a whole. "If one company does it, people are going to think that we're all doing it, and that is not the case. We have always advocated operating within the regulations," he said. "A product recall is not something that any pharmaceutical company wants to face."

United Drug has said that inappropriate policies within the company would not be tolerated. It is investigating the issue itself and has suspended an executive pending the outcome of this.