Johnson & Johnson said its overall earnings increased 9.5% fueled by strong sales from its consumer products division and rising pharmaceutical sales.

J&J pharmaceutical sales were up 7.5% fueled by antipsychotic medication Risperdal, the drugmaker said Tuesday. Meanwhile J&J’s consumer-product division saw sales rise 49% backed by a strong performance from Listerine antiseptic mouthwash, the launch of teeth-whitening products and Splenda sweetener among other products.

Johnson & Johnson announced it would purchase Pfizer’s consumer healthcare business for $16.6 billion in June 2006, adding brands such as Listerine, Lubriderm, Visine, Neosporin, Sudafed, Zantac and Benadryl to its already lucrative consumer division.

“Consumer is the driving force for J&J, and will be through at least this year,” said Bruce Cranna, an analyst with Leerink Swann & Co. in an interview with Bloomberg.com.

Johnson & Johnson sales data
(Sales to customers by segment of business)
                                      
                                          2007            2006

Pharmaceutical
US                                   $15,603       $15,092
International                      $9,263         $8,175

Consumer
US                                     $6,408        $4,573
International                      $8,085        $5,201
      
                                            -data provided by Johnson & Johnson