Strong demand for medicines has lifted profits at pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca. First-half profits at AstraZeneca rose by 52% and it also announced that David Brennan, who heads its US unit, will become its new chief executive. Mr Brennan will take up the post in January 2006 when current chief Sir Tom McKillop will retire. Glaxo posted a 12% rise in half-year profits, with profits growth hit by production problems in the US.
