Novartis posts Rs 39-cr net in Q2

Drug maker Novartis has clocked a profit after tax at Rs 39 crore for the three months ended September 30 compared with Rs 43 crore in the corresponding period last year. This was after the company provided for a tax component of Rs 19 crore in the quarter under review against Rs 21.8 crore in the same period last year, the company said. Total income stood at Rs 237 crore, in the quarter under review, marking a growth of eight per cent over the corresponding previous quarter. The company’s core pharmaceuticals business clocked revenues of Rs 168 crore, up 11 per cent over the corresponding previous period’s revenues of Rs 151 from the business.