McKesson posts 2% sales rise in Q2

SAN FRANCISCO Pharmaceutical wholesaler McKesson Corp. reported an increase in revenue and earnings per share in its second quarter, the company said Tuesday.

McKesson reported that revenues for the second quarter ended Sept. 30 were $27.1 billion, compared with $26.6 billion a year ago. Second quarter earnings per diluted share was $1.11 compared to $1.17 per diluted share a year ago.

The San Francisco-based company said net income fell to $301 million, or $1.11 per share, for its fiscal second quarter ended in September, from $327 million, or $1.17 per share, a year earlier.

The company was selected earlier this year by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention to distribute the swine flu vaccine to as many as 150,000 provider sites. The company is CEO John Hammergren said McKesson is benefiting from the flu vaccination demand, which includes anitviral medications and flu kits.