US pharmaceutical company Pfizer reported a better-than-expected profit for last quarter on the back of increased vaccine and cancer drug sales.

Sales of its pneumonia vaccine Prevnar were $1.58bn, over 12% higher than expected. Breast-cancer therapy Ibrance and blood-thinner Eliquis also contributed to the figures.

The quarterly profits of $2.13 billion, down from $2.67 billion, were expected given a number of patent expirations and growing generic competition, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Revenue also fell to $12.09bn, but was above the analysts' estimate of $11.56bn, writes Reuters.

During the quarter it completed its takeover of smaller rival Hospira for $16bn.

Pfizer recently announced it would create 130 jobs in Dublin and Cork. It employs 3,200 people in its six Irish operations, having operated here since 1969.