Systems Solutions and Medicom are set to merge and form Ireland's largest indigenous provider of IT services to the healthcare industry.

The companies announced on Monday that Systems Solutions will acquire a majority stake in Medicom. Together, the companies employ over 100 people and generate annual revenues of €10m. Systems Solutions supplies software to the pharmacy sector in Ireland and the UK while Medicom provides software and ICT services to care professionals.

"This merger brings many benefits to our customers, employees and stakeholders. Together, we envisage the creation of an integrated, joined-up primary healthcare service, which will electronically connect all primary healthcare providers together, improving quality and accessibility of healthcare services for both primary healthcare providers and patients alike," said Howard Beggs, chief executive of the new company, in a statement.

"This provides an opportunity for two successful, market-leading organisations to combine resources, skills and intelligence to change and enhance the healthcare structures that are currently in place, while allowing customers to continue to use their existing software from both companies," he said.

The new company plans to invest over €750,000 annually in research and development. David Raethorne, chief technical officer of the new company said the merger would help drive development.

"Both Systems Solutions and Medicom share a passion for developing and delivering the very best in healthcare IT solutions to alleviate the current healthcare challenges and improve the healthcare experiences for providers and patients alike. We plan to develop and deliver next generation, cutting-edge technology that will make the Irish primary healthcare sector an international model of excellence," he said.

The companies have a combined customer base of over 10,000 users with a 65 per cent share of the Irish pharmacy market and 12 per cent share of the UK market.

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