Profits just what Astra prescribed
AstraZeneca posted better-than-expected profits yesterday as key brands such as cholesterol product Crestor helped it weather testing conditions.
The group's Q4 haul topped forecasts at $2.7 billion (1.7bn), a drop of 5 per cent, and meant Astra delivered profits for the year of just over $13bn (8.2 billion), up 2 per cent. Chief executive David Brennan said the 2010 performance showed the strength and resilience of the firm's business as it faced up to government pressure on pricing.