Novartis Launches New Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever Liquid for Children as Safe Over-the-Counter Treatment Option

PARSIPPANY, N.Y., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis announces the introduction of Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever, the only branded over-the-counter children's liquid acetaminophen product currently available nationwide in the US. Triaminic® now offers parents a product that combines the pain relieving and fever-reducing power of acetaminophen with the brand that has been trusted by pediatricians and parents for more than 50 years.

"Given the lack of availability of some over-the-counter children's analgesic products, parents and caregivers have been confused and concerned about what to give their children to temporarily reduce a fever or relieve headaches and minor sore throat pain," said Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, practicing pediatrician and chief pediatric officer of www.RealAge.com. "It is important that parents know there are safe and effective treatment options now available from brands they know and trust.  If parents have any questions about which over-the-counter options are most appropriate for their kids, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist."

To help parents restock their medicine cabinets with a reliable option, Novartis is giving away up to 250,000 bottles of Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever in the US, valued at USD 1.5 million. Between August 2 - 8, 2010, parents can purchase a bottle of Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever and submit the original receipt and proof of purchase, along with a rebate form that can be obtained by registering at www.triaminicgiveaway.com(1) to receive a refund for the purchase price of the product(2). For full details, go to www.triaminicgiveaway.com.    

"Triaminic® is the leading children's cough and cold brand(3) and children's health has been the brand's sole focus for more than 50 years. We feel it is important to now offer parents a dependable fever reducer and pain reliever product for their children," said Charlie Hough, OTC North America Region Head, Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. "By giving away up to 250,000 bottles of Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever, we will make it even easier for parents to have access to the only children's liquid acetaminophen product now available nationally from a trusted brand name."

Focus on Kids' Health and Appropriate Use of Children's Medicines

Children's health and wellness is the number one priority of the Triaminic® brand. In addition to the free product offer, www.triaminic.com also provides helpful tips and information for parents from Dr. Trachtenberg about keeping children healthy and ensuring the safe and appropriate use of children's medicines.

• Know the active ingredients: It's important to carefully read the labels on all children's medications and understand the active ingredients, especially if you are giving them multiple medications. Knowing what's in your child's medicine will help you determine if it's the right course of treatment to best ensure your child is on the road to recovery.
• Consider a little TLC: In addition to an over-the-counter fever reducer and pain reliever, Dr. Trachtenberg always recommends her version of TLC: Time, Love and a Couch. Take time to sit with your sick child in a comfortable, quiet place, like the living room couch, put a cool compress on her head and gently rub her temples until the fever and pain subside. If your child's symptoms continue, call your pediatrician.

Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever and all Triaminic® products meet rigorous Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Novartis adheres to these guidelines at its manufacturing sites to ensure that Triaminic® products are safe, effective and meet these strict quality and purity standards.

Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever temporarily reduces fever and relieves minor aches and pains due to the common cold, flu, headache, minor sore throat, and toothache. The product is intended for children ages 2 -11 and is available in grape and bubble gum flavors. Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever is available at drug stores, grocery stores and retail stores nationwide. For more information, go to www.triaminic.com.

About Triaminic®

Triaminic products are safe and effective when used as directed, and have been relieving children's cough and cold symptoms for more than 50 years. Trusted by parents and caregivers, the Triaminic brand has a full line of children's cough, cold, allergy and analgesic products that meets a variety of children's – and parents – needs. For more information, please visit www.triaminic.com.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "will," or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.  Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management 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 Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Triaminic Fever Reducer Pain Reliever could be affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or government regulation generally; competition in general; industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheet, 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 provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2009, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 44.3 billion, while approximately USD 7.5 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 102,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

References

(1) While supplies last. 250,000 rebate forms will be available at www.triaminicgiveaway.com

(2) Up to $6.99

(3) Based on IRI FDMx latest 4 weeks ending June 6, 2010

SOURCE Novartis