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Novartis Launches Nationwide Educational Campaign on Foot Health

Posted on: Friday, 22 April 2005, 09:00 CDT

EAST HANOVER, N.J., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has kicked off a national educational campaign about maintaining foot health called "Hit the Road, Digger!" that will visit 23 cities over the next four months, beginning today in New York City as part of Foot Health Month. The centerpiece of the campaign is a recreational vehicle featuring Digger the Dermatophyte, the animated character popularized in advertising for Lamisil(R) (terbinafine hydrochloride tablets) Tablets.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050422/NYF034 )

The campaign aims to educate Americans about the importance of maintaining foot health, by reaching them during the spring and summer season, when people are most aware of their feet and foot health. Board-certified podiatrists will be on hand at each event to help educate people about proper treatment of common conditions such as nail fungal infection and to provide free foot health screenings. In addition, people visiting "Hit The Road, Digger!" tour stops will receive educational materials and can even meet Digger the Dermatophyte. The campaign will make stops at dozens of events across the country, including major marathons, sporting events and state fairs. More information on the dates and locations of the tour can be found at http://www.diggeronline.com/ .

"People often don't seek treatment for common foot health conditions such as nail fungal infection," noted Anthony R. Iorio, DPM, MPH, Chairman, Department of Medical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine. "By highlighting the importance of diagnosing and treating these conditions, we hope that this campaign will bring a higher awareness of overall foot health and motivate people to seek treatment from a physician."

According to a recent Roper Public Affairs survey, 35 million Americans have onychomycosis or nail fungal infection; yet 90 percent don't recognize the name of the condition. Additionally, more than half of adults surveyed believe that over-the-counter (OTC) medications will treat nail fungal infections adequately, although no OTC treatment has been proven to cure the infection.

Nail fungal infection is characterized by thick, flaky, or discolored nails. It is primarily caused by dermatophytes, or living fungi, which thrive in many common places such as locker rooms, around swimming pools, showers, gardens, and on unsterilized manicure or pedicure tools that have been used on others with the infection. The infection is more common under the toenails, where the condition is usually preceded by athlete's foot. Once infected, the nail separates from the nail bed, becomes increasingly brittle, and may eventually crumble away.

Lamisil Tablets are a highly effective treatment for all stages of fungal nail infection -- from mild to severe -- and are the most prescribed treatment for fungal nail infections worldwide. Healthcare professionals have prescribed Lamisil Tablets to more than 17 million people in the US. Lamisil Tablets are indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Lamisil Tablets aren't for people with liver or kidney problems. Rarely, serious side effects in the liver or serious skin reactions have occurred, so doctors may do a simple blood test to check for liver problems. Other side effects including headache, diarrhea, indigestion and rash were generally mild. For more information about onychomycosis and treatment including full prescribing information, visit http://www.lamisil.com/ .

This release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "to,""will,""aims," or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future sales of Lamisil Tablets. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results with Lamisil Tablets to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Lamisil Tablets will reach any particular level of sales. Any such results can be affected by, among other things, competition in general; government, industry, and general public pricing pressures; the company's ability to maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; government regulation generally; unexpected clinical trial results; as well as factors discussed in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the 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 described herein as 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.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. 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. Novartis AG is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2004, the Novartis Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 28.2 billion and a net income of USD 5.8 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 4.2 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 81,400 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information, please consult http://www.novartis.com/ .

Contacts

Kate O'Connor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Tel 862-778-5588

or 917-446-7400

kate.oconnor@novartis.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050422/NYF034AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/AP PhotoExpress Network: ENTER PRN6 HEREPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

CONTACT: Kate O'Connor of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation,+1-862-778-5588 or +1-917-446-7400, kate.oconnor@novartis.com

Web site: http://www.novartis.com/http://www.lamisil.com/http://www.diggeronline.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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