Pfizer Animal Health sees sales growth in first quarter

Pfizer Animal Health has experienced a year-on-year rise in sales during the first quarter of 2011.

The Pfizer business unit, which creates vaccines, paraciticides, anti-infectives and other treatments for livestock and companion animals, reported first-quarter revenue of $982 million (598.59 million pounds).

It represented a year-on-year increase of 16 percent, with the final total elevated by $50 million as a result of the recent acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals.

This merger deal, which was completed in March 2011, saw Pfizer Animal Health add a number of new products from King's veterinary medicines unit Alpharma to its portfolio.

According to Jose Francisco Ortiz, vice-president for Pfizer Poultry Health, this has particularly benefited its offerings for poultry producers, allowing it to introduce new feed additives, water-soluble therapeutics and probiotics to its range.

The animal health business's performance contributed to a $16.5 billion first quarter revenue total for the Pfizer group, which was roughly level with last year.