Health firm fills its Boots

DRUGS, health and beauty group Alliance Boots has seen profits rise by a fifth in the first quarter of its year.

The company said it had achieved the 20 per cent rise in profits by performing well in difficult market conditions and through the acquisition of Central Homecare.

The trading surplus of £771 million in the year to March 31 included nine months of trading as a private company following a £11.1 billion takeover.

Stefano Pessina, the executive chairman, said the firm is on track to build "the world's leading pharmacy-led health and beauty group".