WYETH’S first-quarter earnings rose 44% as sales of its vaccine against childhood infections more than doubled and sales of arthritis treatment Enbrel and other prescription drugs rose.

ELI LILLY, the maker of prozac antidepressant pills, raised its 2003 earnings forecast on demand for psychiatric medications including zyprexa for schizophrenia and new drugs such as cialis to treat impotence.

THE bulk of Schering-Plough’s 2,000-strong Irish workforce is expected to escape the impact of a major consolidation by the company after net income fell by 71% to €173 million.