TEST #6.2 - Novartis delivers strong double-digit growth

First nine months

	Nine months 2004		Nine months 2003		% Change
	USD m	% of sales	USD m	% of sales	USD	lc[1]
Sales	20 669		18 134		14	9
Pharmaceutical sales	13 528		11 641		16	11
Consumer Health sales	7 141		6 493		10	5
Operating income	5 005	24.2	4 283	23.6	17
Net income	4 389	21.2	3 656	20.2	20
Basic earnings per share/ADS	USD 1.79		USD 1.48		21

Third quarter
	Q3 2004		Q3 2003		% Change
	USD m	% of sales	USD m	% of sales	USD	lc
Sales	7 057		6 210		14	9
Pharmaceutical sales	4 646		4 041		15	11
Consumer Health sales	2 411		2 169		11	7
Operating income	1 717	24.3	1 469	23.7	17
Net income	1 547	21.9	1 277	20.6	21
Basic earnings per share/ADS	USD 0.63		USD 0.52		21

Nine-month sales rise 14% (+9% lc) to USD 20.7 billion, with Pharmaceuticals growing 16% (+11% lc) and Consumer Health advancing 10% (+5% lc)

Pharmaceuticals continues to achieve strong double-digit growth and market share gains in a slowing global healthcare market, driven by enhanced leadership positions in the cardiovascular and oncology franchises

Consumer Health sales up 10% in USD due mainly to double-digit growth in OTC and Medical Nutrition, offsetting lower sales growth in Sandoz generics business

Operating income advances faster than sales, rising 17% to USD 5.0 billion, owing to excellent business performance and effective resource allocation

Net income up 20% to USD 4.4 billion, while EPS advances 21% to USD 1.79 per share

[1] lc - Local currencies

Please find full press releases under the following links:

German

French

Contacts:

John Gilardi
Novartis Global Media Relations
Tel +41 61 324 3018 (direct)
or +41 79 596 1408 (mobile)
john.gilardi@group.novartis.com

Kim Fox
Novartis Pharma Communications
+1 862 778 7692 (direct)
+1 917 415 2425 (mobile)
kim.fox@pharma.novartis.com

TEST #6.2 - Novartis delivers strong double-digit growth and margin expansion

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