Drugs company revenue rises 40%

ProStrakan has reported strong sales in Europe and the US

A Scottish pharmaceutical firm has seen its sales revenues rise by 40% in the first four months of 2009 compared with the same period last year.

ProStrakan said it had made a "strong start" to the year in terms of both trading and business development.

Chief Executive Dr Wilson Totten said it could help the company reach its break-even target later in 2009.

The Galashiels-based firm has seen demand for a number of its products rise significantly in recent times.

Cancer pain-relief treatment Abstral was launched in the UK and Germany in January this year and is already selling about 7,200 tablets a week.

It has also received marketing authorisation for France and Spain.

ProStrakan is also pleased with US sales of Sancuso - a skin patch to combat nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

It reported about 850 patches a week being sold and has now increased its sales staff levels in America to 82.