In the third quarter of 2014, Allergan posted its strongest sales increase in the company’s history.

Allergan’s sales were CA$2 billion in the third quarter, up by 17.2% compared with the same period in 2013. Earnings totalled CA$350 million.

Pharmaceutical eyecare products (including Refresh and Restasis) showed a 14.2% sales increase to CA$915 million.

Allergan could not miss out on trumpeting its success, and perhaps it was thumbing its nose at Valeant. The latter is attempting to acquire Allergan and recently boasted its… second best quarter ever (see news clip from October 30).

For more information: http://agn.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=878172

Novartis and its Alcon division delivered a good performance in the third quarter of 2014.

Novartis recorded net sales of CA$16.5 billion, a 4% increase compared with the same period last year.

Alcon’s third-quarter sales were CA$3 billion, a 5% increase over the same period in 2013. Alcon reported an increase of 3% in its pharmaceutical ophthalmic products, and a 3% increase in its vision care products. In the vision care segment, the strong sales growth of Dailies Total and AirOptix Colors contact lenses offset a decline in contact lens care solutions.

For more information: http://www.novartis.com/downloads/investors/financial-results/quarterly-results/q3-2014-media-release-en.pdf