Pfizer reported on Wednesday that its earnings in the second quarter more than doubled on higher sales of its prescription drugs and lower expenses.

The world’s largest drug maker by sales earned $2.78bn, or 41 cents a share in the quarter, compared with $1.27bn, or 18 cents, in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, earnings per share came in at 55 cents. Analysts on average had expected earnings per share of 54 cents and revenue of $11.46bn, according to Thomson Financial.