Johnson & Johnson has reported that sales during Q1 this year were 4.1 percent lower than sales during the same period in 2014.

Total sales stood at US$17.4bn. The company’s interim financial report shows that while domestic sales increased 5.9 percent, international sales decreased by 12.4 percent, reflecting operational growth of 0.8 percent and a negative currency impact of 13.2 percent.

The report shows that operational results increased 3.1 percent and the negative impact of currency was 7.2 percent. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 5.7 percent, domestic sales increased by 9.1 percent and international sales increased by 3 percent.

Positive contributors to operational results were sales of Tylenol and Motrin analgesics, digestive health and international upper-respiratory over-the-counter products; Neutrogena and Aveeno skin care products; Listerine oral care products; international sales of feminine protection products; and domestic sales of baby care products.

Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO of J&J commented, “The company delivered strong underlying growth in the first quarter driven by new products and the strength of the core business.  Of note is the continued robust growth of the pharmaceutical business and the solid performance of our consumer brands. I am proud of our global teams who focus every day on delivering innovative solutions to address evolving health care needs.

Worldwide Pharmaceutical sales of US$7.7bn for the first quarter represented an increase of 3 percent versus the prior year with operational growth of 10.2 percent and a negative impact from currency of 7.2 percent. Domestic sales increased by 16.9 percent; international sales decreased by 10.7 percent, which reflected an operational increase of 3.7 percent and a negative currency impact of 14.4 percent.