Pfizer Animal Health sees sales increase in 2012

Pfizer Animal Health success in achieving year-on-year growth during 2012 has been highlighted by new figures disclosed in parent company Pfizer's latest financial report.

The veterinary medicines company's sales total for the 12 months came to $4.3 billion (2.72 billion pounds), which represented a three percent rise on 2011 and a six percent increase in operational terms.

Contributing to this performance was a $1.17 billion fourth-quarter sales figure, which was six percent above the corresponding data for Q4 2011.

This comes as Pfizer makes plans to spin off its animal health operations into a standalone business called Zoetis, having announced its intention to commence a potential initial public offering of up to a 19.8 percent stake in the new company.

Pfizer noted that the financial performance of its animal health division as it currently stands will not be wholly representative of Zoetis' prospects, as the exact components of the two organisations differ.

At present, Pfizer Animal Health has operations in more than 60 countries.