British inhaled-drug specialist Consort Medical reported a higher first-half pretax profit on strong volume growth at its Bespak unit's core respiratory business. The company, which specialises in making asthma and anaesthesia medical devices, said it expected full-year results slightly ahead of expectations. For the May-October period, Consort reported a pretax profit before special items of 10.2 million pounds, compared with 8.2 million pounds a year ago. Total revenue rose 2 percent to 71.1 million pounds. Revenue at the company's Bespak division rose 17 percent to 47.9 million pounds.
