London: South African pharmacy chains Clix Group said on Monday that it would sell Drug manufacturers Unicorn Pharmaceuticals follow a rule court rulingclearing the way for Ministry of Health to issue to the company License For new stores.

In March 2023, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled in its favour Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) argued that the unicorn’s ownership of Clicks violated rules that prevent pharmacies from being owned by drug manufacturers.

Unicorn’s settlement, which is expected to be completed by the end of this month, will allow Clicks to obtain new pharmacy licenses. The health ministry had stopped the process for new Clicks pharmacy licenses in May 2023, and said it would resume only when the company complies with the court ruling.

Clicks said, “As part of the constructive engagement process with the Director General, Clicks Group proposes to regularise its position by divesting its entire shareholding in the manufacturing pharmacy, Unicorn Pharmaceuticals.”

The pharmacy, health and beauty retailer, whose brands include Clicks, Clicks Baby, The Body Shop, Sorbet and UPD, had 902 stores and 718 pharmacies at the end of February, the midpoint of its financial year.

(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Miral Fahmy)