Pfizer, the largest US drug-maker which employs about 1,500 people in Cork and Dublin, yesterday reported a 34 per cent gain in first-quarter earnings before a range of costs, boosted by sales of Lipitor, its anti-cholesterol drug, and Celebrex for arthritis.

The company, also known for anti-impotence pill Viagra, reported profits of $2.13 billion (€2.43 billion), or 33 US cents per diluted share, excluding the impact of special items and merger-related costs. In the year-earlier period, Pfizer earned $1.58 billion, or 25 US cents per share before items.

Analysts had forecast earnings of 31 US cents.