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July 29, 2008

Novartis Makes Accessing Prescription Assistance and Disease Management Programs Simpler and Easier for Patients

• One-stop Web site and toll-free number provides patients with extensive information to better manage their health

East Hanover, NJ, July 29, 2008 - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation today announced the launch of Patient Assistance Now-a new, comprehensive resource that integrates Novartis and non-Novartis programs that may help uninsured Americans pay for their Novartis medicines and find information to take care of their health. Now patients can access an easy-to-use Web site that provides specific information about programs and services available. Patients and caregivers can visit www.PatientAssistanceNow.com or call toll-free 1-800-245-5356 to find programs that may be right for them.

Novartis is offering solutions for improved access to affordable medicines for the more than 47 million Americans who have no prescription drug coverage.1 While many assistance programs and resources are available to benefit the uninsured, patients are often unable to find these programs, or are confused when determining which programs best fit their individual needs.

"We at Novartis are proud to offer Patient Assistance Now to make it easier for patients to find options that help them access important medicines and learn more about their health conditions and available treatments. For years, Novartis assistance programs have been providing free product to millions of uninsured patients," said Kevin Rigby, Vice President of Public Affairs at Novartis. "By integrating our programs and resources, Novartis continues to have a meaningful impact on patients' lives."

Patient Assistance Now provides patients with access to all of the information and tools offered by Novartis to assist patients with managing their health, including:

• Novartis Access to Medicines Programs, providing free Novartis medicines to qualified patients who experience financial hardships and who have no prescription drug coverage.
• Novartis Disease Management and Education, offering resources on specific diseases, conditions and medicines in areas such as Asthma, Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Eye Health, Hypertension, Parkinson's Disease, and Senior Health. Please visit www.PatientAssistanceNow.com for a complete list.
• Novartis Clinical Trials, including information to help patients make educated decisions about participating in a clinical trial and understanding the clinical trial process.
• Novartis Medicines, including links to information on Novartis prescription medications.

"Too many Americans feel frustrated and worried about their ability to get the medicines they need to manage their health. Many important prescription drug programs and educational resources offer assistance, yet unfortunately, few people know these exist or have difficulty finding information," said Myrl Weinberg, President of the National Health Council. "By putting all the information in one place, programs such as Patient Assistance Now provide patients with easier access to information, including prescription drug assistance programs and disease education. Such programs play a vital role in helping patients get the care and resources they need."

Novartis is partnering with health organizations and working with health care providers and elected officials to spread further awareness about Patient Assistance Now to those who need help accessing the prescription medicines and health information they need. "I applaud Novartis for taking action to address the need of all Americans to have access to quality health care," said Tommy G. Thompson, Former Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services. "Uninsured and underinsured patients are often sicker and have higher overall medical costs due to untreated or poorly managed conditions. Today, Novartis takes us a step in the right direction by improving access to programs that can immediately help people who can't afford health insurance or the medicines they need."

The Patient Assistance Now program builds on Novartis initiatives dedicated to ensuring that patients have access to quality health care:

• In 2007, the company provided more than $169 million worth of free product to nearly 109,000 Americans through the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
• Last year, Novartis delivered $190 million courses of the life-saving malaria treatment, Coartem® to more than 64,800,000 patients in Africa, Asia and Latin America at cost for public sector use
• Novartis works with over 50 free clinics and organizations in 13 states, and has provided more than $5 million of product to 8,000 uninsured patients
• Novartis participates in the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a single point of access to more than 475 patient assistance programs, that has matched more than 5 million patients to one or more patient assistance programs
• Through a partnership with AmeriCares, a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, Novartis Group companies provided $104 million of short-dated products for international medical missions between 1997 and 2003
• Novartis is a founding member of Together Rx Access™, a prescription savings card that helps uninsured Americans better afford the prescription medicines they need Patients and caregivers who need help accessing Novartis medicines and finding information to help manage their health can visit www.PatientAssistanceNow.com or call toll-free 1-800-245-5356.

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "may", "helping", "improving", "should", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future results of Patient Assistance Now or regarding potential impact on future revenues from Patient Assistance Now. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that any Novartis Prescription Medicine will be discounted or free. Nor can there be any guarantee that any information provided through Patient Assistance Now will impact an individual's health or disease or condition management. In particular, management's expectations regarding Patient Assistance Now could be affected by, among other things, unexpected changed to program eligibility or qualification factors; unexpected changes to insurance or prescription drug coverage plans; the company's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other propriety intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including those in the cardiovascular, metabolic, cancer, organ transplantation, central nervous system, dermatological, GI and respiratory areas. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), which provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on growth areas in healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2007, the Group's continuing operations (excluding divestments in 2007) achieved net sales of USD 38.1 billion and net income of USD 6.5 billion. Approximately USD 6.4 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 98,200 full-time associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com

1 "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006." U.S. Census Bureau, August 2007, table 6, p. 21.

 

Novartis Media Relations

Gina Moran
NPC Communications
862 778-5567 (direct)
973 476-3643
gina.moran@novartis.com

 

Press Contact: Gina Moran, 862 778-5567

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