Press release

Sandoz Inc. 506 Carnegie Center Drive, Suite 400 Princeton, NJ 08540 Phone +1 609 627 8500 Fax +1 609 627 8682 Sandoz launches generic version of Sarafem® capsules

Princeton, New Jersey; November 25, 2008 -- Sandoz today announced the introduction of fluoxetine
hydrochloride capsules, a generic equivalent of Sarafem® capsules, in the United States.
Fluoxetine hydrochloride is an oral serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat mood changes and physical
symptoms, including breast tenderness, headache, bloating and joint pain, associated with premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD). As many as 10 percent of menstruating women suffer from PMDD.
Sandoz is marketing fluoxetine hydrochloride in 10 and 20 mg strengths in unit of use blister packages of
28 capsules (4 x 7).
About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering
a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. Sandoz has a
portfolio of more than 950 compounds and sells its products in more than 130 countries. Key product
groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines,
cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these
medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In
addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek
(Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany) and Eon Labs (US) In 2007, Sandoz employed around
23,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 7.2 billion

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as
"may", "could", "likely", "suggests", "will", "risk", "confidence", or similar expressions, or by express or
implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules. 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 with fluoxetine
hydrochloride capsules to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that fluoxetine hydrochloride
capsules will receive any additional marketing approvals in any other countries or achieve any particular
levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding fluoxetine
hydrochloride capsules could be affected by, among other things, competition 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. Sandoz is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information
Sandoz US Communications:
Charles A. Bruns
609.627.8881
Sarafem ® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
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Source: http://www.us.sandoz.com/cs/groups/public/@sge_us/documents/contentpage/n_prod_002044.pdf