AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd, a Bangalore-based pharmaceutical MNC, has achieved a satisfactory performance during the first quarter ended March 2004. Its net profit has risen by 15.4 per cent to Rs 3.15 crore from Rs 2.73 crore in the corresponding period of last year. The earning per share (EPS) has improved to Rs 6.29 from Rs 5.47.

Its net sales have moved up by 17.8 per cent to Rs 37.94 crore from Rs 32.22 crore. The cost of raw materials including stock has increased to Rs 15.75 crore in the first quarter ended March 2004 from Rs 12.47 crore in corresponding period of last fiscal. It incurred expenses of Rs 6.63 crore on employees as against Rs 6.47 crore. The provision of tax has gone up to Rs 3.98 crore from Rs 2.71 crore. Its capital employed in healthcare business reached at Rs 102.77 crore as at the end of March 31, 2004.

The company's R&D division, which is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, continues its activities in maternal healthcare products and cough formulations. Astra Pharmaceuticals AB, Sweden, the company's foreign promoter, continues to extend additional know-how for the products licensed by them.