Issued 19 December 2003

The Commerce Commission has granted a clearance to MediMedia (NZ) Limited to acquire the New Zealand medical publications currently published by Adis International Limited.

MediMedia publishes a wide range of products including drug directories, professional newspapers and patient health information via electronic and print media.

Adis (an acronym of Australasian Drug Information Services) is a publisher of clinical drug and drug treatment information. Its New Zealand portfolio consists of five publications - New Zealand GP, New Ethicals Journal, New Ethicals Catalogue of Drugs, New Ethicals Compendium and New Ethicals Counselling Compendium.

Chair Paula Rebstock said the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not have, nor would be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any of the markets affected by the acquisition.

A public version of the decision will be available in the New Year on the Commission's website under the Adjudication section.

Media contact:

Geoff Thorn, Director, Business Competition Branch

Phone work (04) 924 3620

Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3708, mobile 029 924 3708