INTERNATIONAL drugs group SmithKline Beecham yesterday revealed how a surge in sales of new products sparked a £90 million sterling advance in operating profits to £1,361 million. A 40 per cent jump to £1,120 million in sales of new products more than offset declining trade in its Tagamet anti-heartburn drug.

Pre-tax profits grew from £691 million to £1623 million after SmithKline included a £512 million exceptional gain from the sale of its animal vaccine business to Pfizer. In 1994, by comparison, there was a £580 million group restructuring charge.