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Biotech / Medical : PFE (Pfizer) How high will it go? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BigKNY3 who wrote (6508)	12/19/1998 7:53:00 AM
From: BigKNY3	Respond to of 9523

Viagra Corner: Dispatches from the Frontiers of Medicine Colin Brown 12/18/98 The Independent - London FINAL Page 13 FAMILY DOCTORS will be advised to carry on prescribing Viagra on the NHS by their professional body if Frank Dobson, Secretary of State for Health, fails to lift a ban on the anti-impotence drug within a month. Following fears that the NHS would not be able to afford to meet demand for the drug, ministers ordered doctors in September to stop prescribing the drug on the NHS. The British Medical Association's GP committee decided last night to give Mr Dobson a month in which to produce new advice, or they will issue their own guidance to GPs to carry on prescribing Viagra on the NHS. The BMA is concerned that the ban, imposed by Mr Dobson on 14 September, breaks GPs' terms of contract to provide care on the NHS. "We discussed issuing advice today but we gave Mr Dobson another month. Our advice is to ignore the Government's guidance and to carry on prescribing Viagra where clinically appropriate," said a BMA source. The Department of Health expects to release fresh guidance in January which is likely to allow GPs to carry on prescribing

To: BigKNY3 who wrote (6508)	12/19/1998 7:56:00 AM
From: BigKNY3	Respond to of 9523

EVENING. Health. ASK DR. RUTH. Advice. Dr. Ruth Westheimer 12/17/98 Chicago Tribune EVENING UPDATE; C Page 7 Q. I'm a 55-year-old male who has lost his libido. How do I get it back? I use Viagra successfully, but the drug does not induce libido as I define it. A. You're a case in point to show what I've been saying all along about Viagra : It's a useful tool for men who are having problems obtaining an erection, but it's not a panacea. If it's integrated into a couple's sex life, it can help, but most of the time the couple will need other types of help as well.

To: BigKNY3 who wrote (6508)	12/19/1998 8:00:00 AM
From: BigKNY3	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9523

General Mills, Pfizer raise quarterlies By Shirley A. Lazo 12/21/98 Barron's Page 38 -- The second-largest cereal maker after Kellogg, General Mills last Monday sweetened its quarterly common dividend to 55 cents a share from 53 cents, payable February 1 to holders of record January 8. The company snapped a 29-year skein of enhanced payouts in 1994, when it was working on "rightsizing" itself for sustainable, profitable growth. Payouts resumed their climb in 1996, as did earnings. General Mills has paid dividends without reduction since 1898. Chairman and CEO Stephen W. Sanger said "this dividend increase reflects the continued growth momentum of our businesses and our strong financial postion. . . . The new rate is consistent with our stated plan to increase dividends over time, but at a pace slower than earnings growth until we achieve our targeted payout range of 50%-60% of earnings" (in fiscal '98, ended May 31, General Mills paid out 64% of profits). Earlier this month, Big G shares set a 52-week high on the Big Board of 77 7/8, up about 9% from their closing 1997 trade. In the first half of fiscal 1999, General Mills repurchased 2.5 million of its shares at an average price of $66. Major cereal brands include, among others, Cheerios, Wheaties and Total. Earnings per share in the second fiscal quarter rose 11%, and Sanger said Big G is "targeting continued double-digit growth in quarterly earnings per share as we work toward our previously stated goal of 12% EPS growth for the year." -- Pharmaceutical companies generally can be counted on for healthy earnings and dividend growth. Bristol-Myers Squibb's 10% payout hike earlier this month, for example, marked 27 straight years of sweetened payouts (it also announced a 2-for-1 split). Last Monday Pfizer raised its quarterly common dividend 16%, to 22 cents a share from 19 cents, the 32nd boost in as many years. Disbursement will take place March 11 for investors of record February 12. Dividends have been paid without interruption since 1901. Pfizer shares are trading on the NYSE just a few points under their 52-week high of 121 3/4. They closed out '97 at 74 9/16, up 80% on the year. Wall Street estimates Pfizer will earn $1.98 or thereabouts this year and $2.48 in 1999, compared with 1997's $1.59.