HEALTH CARE
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
Upjohn Stockholders OK Merger With Pharmacia: Upjohn Co. stockholders approved a merger with Swedish drug maker Pharmacia, as expected, moving the proposed combination one step closer to completion. Separately, Upjohn reported third-quarter income from continuing operations rose 4% to $133 million as sales grew 3% to $831 million from the 1994 quarter. Upjohn said nearly 79% of its outstanding shares were voted in favor of the deal, which will create the ninth-largest drug company in the world with annual sales of nearly $7 billion. The merger still needs the approval of 90% of Pharmacia shareholders, but Pharmacia Chief Executive Jan Ekberg said he is optimistic that will occur.
