(Fortune) -- Carrie Cox, the 49-year-old EVP; President, Global Pharmaceuticals of Schering-Plough (Charts), ranks No. 39 on Fortune's 2006 list of 50 Most Powerful Women.

Once beset by regulatory problems, Schering-Plough (2005 revenues: $9.5 billion) is making the most of its current portfolio of drugs. For the first half of 2006, profits in Cox's pharmaceuticals group were $720 million, up 42% from last year.

By the key criteria Fortune uses in assembling its annual list - the size, importance, and health of each business in the global economy, and the momentum of each woman's career (along with her social and cultural influence) - there's no question that the power of women in the corporate sphere is rising.

Indeed, it could be called the year of the Most Powerful Woman CEO. The top seven positions on Fortune's 2006 Most Powerful Women list are held by CEOs.

Some other powerful women on the list include: Sallie Krawcheck, Citigroup (Charts); Ann Livermore, Hewlett-Packard (Charts); Charlene Begley, General Electric (Charts); Mary Minnick, Coca-Cola (Charts); Linda Dillman, Wal-Mart (Charts); and Meg Whitman, eBay (Charts).

Next: Full list: 50 Most Powerful Women at http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/fortune/mostpowerfulwomen/1.html

Plus: Most Powerful Women: 10 Highest-Paid at http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/fortune/womenpay/index.html