One connotation not yet put forward is that Mayne may currently...

One connotation not yet put forward is that Mayne may currently still be trying to offload Symbion's Pharmacy Wholesaling business. How does this fit in the current situation. I am not really sure what their current position is because with the Mayne Pharma takeover by an overseas company they may now have a different point of view of their business directions. In the past (prior to demerger) Mayne had not been able to find a buyer for their Pharmaceutical Wholesale business.

This is from left-field. Would Symbion seek to merge with or Takeover API, sell off unwanted assets and then in due course (after stabilising the new enitiy) attempt to sell off the new bigger operation. Mayne perhaps would see this as a longer term approach to divesting themselves from Pharmaceutical Wholesale business.

I doubt whether the ACCC are going to reject any merger/takeover now that there is already a fourth major wholesaler (DHL) in the market place.

The Pharmaceutical Wholesale business is a tough environment but has been a reliable "cash cow" over the years. However, economies of scale are critical to long term operation. Despite our aging population everyone in the game knows there is realy only room for 2 to 3 national wholesalers

I am sure API's current vunerability is being assessed widely by all potential suitors. It is the biggest discussion point at all levels of the industry at the moment.