Pharmacy retailer Jean Coutu has reported a 9.3% year-on-year increase in revenue to C$678.1m (£396m) for its third-quarter.

Retail sales increases reflected overall market growth, new store openings and consumers stocking up on over-the-counter drugs in case of a swine flu outbreak.

On a same-store basis, sales climbed 6.3%. Over-the-counter drug sales jumped 16%. Net earnings reached C$44.6 million (£26 million) compared with a CAD399.2 million (£233 million) net loss for the quarter ended 29 November 2008.