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Diovan(valsartan), Novartis' flagship antihypertensive, is a well established, effective treatment for hypertension belonging to the Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Recent data from the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) show that Diovan significantly reduced combined all-cause mortalty and morbidity in patients with Heart Failure also taking standard therapy. Diovan is now the only ARB to demonstrate this benefit in a large scale trial in patients with Heart Failure.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not make enough insulin and/or resists the insulin produced by the body.

Starlix (nateglinide), is the first amino acid (D-phenylalanine) derived oral hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes. Starlix that has a fast-on, fast-off action, which preferentially restores early phase insulin secretion, reducing mealtime glucose spikes and HbA1c, without causing excess insulin secretion.

Miacalcic (salmon calcitonin) is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis, particularly in patients with evidence of high bone turnover and patients with immobilisation osteoporosis and spinal fractures.

Miacalcic is well established in the treatment osteoporosis and is also recommended in Pagets disease of the bone. It has a proven effect on pain linked to fractures due to osteoporosis.

Recent introductions include Cholinesterase inhibitor(Exelon) for Alzheimer's disease and a COMT-inhibitor (Comtan) for Parkinson's disease. Drug treatment in Alzheimer's disease could improve the quality of life of Alzheimer's sufferers and delay the progression of this devastating disease. In Parkinson's disease, taking a COMT-inhibitor with levodopa will enhance and extend the benefit of levodopa for patients experiencing levodopa wearing off effects like motor fluctuation.

Every year throughout the world, an estimated 38,000 organ transplants take place. Cyclosporin microemulsion(Sandimmun Neoral) is the world's most prescribed product in this field and regarded as the gold standard immunosuppressant.

Hypercalcaemia of malignancy (HCM), characterised by elevated serum calcium levels, is the most common life-threatening metabolic disorder associated with cancer. HCM affects more than 10% of all cancer patients and generally occurs late in the course of the disease.

Zometa (zoledronic acid) is a new generation, highly potent bisphosphonate which offers superior efficacy in the treatment of HCM, compared with Aredia (pamidronate), the current standard of treatment, with the added convenience of a 15-minute infusion time vs 2-4 hours for Aredia. Zometa is the first bisphosphonate to demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of bone complications across a broad range of tumour types (including breast, lung and prostate).

In addition, Zometa has potential for efficacy in the prevention of skeletal complications of malignancy and anti-tumour potential, as evidenced by preclinical studies.

Sandostatin-LAR is a new long-acting formulation of Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) with a convenient once a month dosing, extending the benefits of SAS to patients with acromegaly and GEP endocrine tumours.

Glivec (formerly known as STI 571) is the first therapy to specifically target the molecular abnormality responsible for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. Its also offers convenient once daily oral dosing. Studies are currently ongoing to determine its effects on solid tumours that are susceptible to its mode of action.

Femara is an aromatase inhibitor that has been shown to be more effective than tamoxifen in treating postmenopaual women with advanced breast cancer.

Abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel function (constipation and/or diarrhoea) characterise patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This common disorder affects up to 12% of Singapore's population.

ZelmacŪ (tegaserod), which will be available in the near future, is a new class of drug which targets the multiple symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and constipation associated with IBS. This improves quality of life of IBS patients, offering them convenient treatment for multiple symptoms in one tablet. For more information, see www.ibsandhealth.com.

Over the years, doctors throughout Singapore have come to associate products like Voltaren, Zaditen and Dynacirc with Novartis.

These products and several others, have established themselves in fields ranging from the heart to the mind.

Doctors and patients alike have developed a trust in the reliability of our medications. Proven in their efficacy and safety profile, they bring about an improved quality of life, to many that has benefited from it.

The Mature products' contribution to society would continue for years to come, as they are now widely regarded as the golden standard for different types of treatment

We are a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of innovative ophthalmic pharmaceuticals that assist in the treatment of glaucoma, Age-related Macular Degeneration, infections, inflammation, ocular allergies, dry eye and other diseases and disorders of the eye.

Visudyne, a breakthrough therapy that safely preserves vision in a broad number of wet AMD (age related macula degeneration) , is the first proven therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to AMD (which has the worst visual prognosis). AMD is one of the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old.

Rescula®, a docosanoid, is the first of a new class of compound to be introduced for the treatment of glaucoma. Rescula® effectively lowers intra-ocular pressure, a major risk factor of vision loss in glaucoma, both when used alone and when used in combination with other glaucoma agents.

Voltaren Ophtha contains a powerful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, analgesic drug (NSAID) proven in clinical trials and extensive clinical experience to be as effective as steroids in treating ocular inflammation. Voltaren Ophtha works on two pathways that contribute to ocular inflammation – prostaglandins and leukotrienes which could explain its success. Through being an NSAID, Voltaren Ophtha avoids the known side effects of steroids such as reduced immune response, raised intra-ocular pressure and cataract formation with prolonged use.

Okacin - a modern anti infective for bacterial conjunctivitis, effective with a simple twice daily dose.