ONTARIO DRUG PLAN NOW COVERS EXELON FOR ALZHEIMER.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Dorval, QC, has announced that the government of Ontario has agreed to list Exelon(x), a new symptomatic treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer Disease (AD), on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary as a Limited Use Benefit effective March 7, 2001.

"It is extremely important that people living with Alzheimer Disease and their families have access to resources, support services, therapies and medications that can make a real difference in their activities of daily living," said John Ellis, executive director, The Alzheimer Society of Ontario. "Alzheimer Disease has a devastating impact on a person's life, and much is needed in the way of support and services, including access to medications. We provide the resources and information people need, and we are encouraged that the Ontario government is continuing to make new medications available through formulary listing."

Ontario is the third province in Canada to include Exelon(x) on the provincial formulary. Quebec and Alberta also provide coverage for Exelon(x) through provincial drug plans.

ABOUT EXELON

Exelon(x) is approved in more than 70 countries, including all of Europe and the United States. The medication is a potent brain-selective cholinesterase inhibitor for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer Disease.

"When a patient with Alzheimer Disease declines in any one of the three domains of the disease, meaning activities of daily living, global function, including behaviour and cognition, it has a major impact on the lives of the patient and his or her caregiver," said Dr. Karl Farcnik, Psychiatrist, Department of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto. "A therapy such as Exelon(x), which has been shown in clinical trials to have a positive impact on the symptoms of the disease, can make a significant difference. As a physician in this province, I am very pleased the government will be providing coverage for Exelon(x)."

Acetylcholine (ACh) is thought to play an important role in memory and cognition; levels of this neurotransmitter are lower in people with AD. Exelon(x) is unique in that it inhibits two enzymes -- acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) which normally decrease the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase, which is shown to be elevated in the brains of patients afflicted with Alzheimer Disease, has only recently been identified as a promising new strategy for the treatment of the disease. Exelon's dual inhibition action reduces the acetylcholine breakdown in the brain, which can help in preserving patients' ability to function.

Exelon(x) is one of the first Alzheimer medications to show clinical benefits on the symptomatic progression of the disease in the three key functional domains: activities of daily living (e.g. eating, dressing and completing household chores), global function (including behaviour) and cognition (including thinking, memory and speaking). Exelon demonstrated these clinical benefits during the most extensive worldwide study program ever conducted on an Alzheimer Disease medication. It is well tolerated and has a low potential for drug interactions, particularly important since the average AD patient often takes many medications simultaneously. The most common side effects are gastro-intestinal in nature and are generally mild to moderate in intensity and transient.

"The listing of Exelon(x) on the Ontario provincial formulary is good news for people with Alzheimer Disease and their caregivers. We are very pleased that people in this province who are diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease now have access to this effective treatment," said Mr. Ian Clark, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "Exelon(x) is an important medication that offers Canadians the hope of delaying the progression of the disease."

Alzheimer Disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 64 per cent of all dementias. Symptoms include loss of memory, judgement and reasoning, decline in ability to perform day-to-day activities, as well as changes in mood and behaviour. Alzheimer Disease gradually destroys vital nerve cells in the brain and affects each person differently. There is no known cause or cure for Alzheimer Disease. It is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disorder that is ultimately fatal.

It is estimated that 238,000 Canadians over the age of 65 currently suffer from Alzheimer Disease. By the year 2031, it is projected that Alzheimer Disease and related dementias will affect more than three-quarters of a million Canadians.

Novartis (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. In 2000, the Group's ongoing businesses achieved sales of $25.5 billion and invested approximately $3.5 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 67,600 people and operates in over 140 countries around the world.

For more information, visit http://www.pharma.ca.novartis.com or call [phone].