AZARGA Ophthalmic Suspension Approved for Treatment of Patients with Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in the European Union Huenenberg, Switzerland

Ophthalmic Suspension Approved for Treatment of Patients with Glaucoma or

Ocular Hypertension in the European Union

Huenenberg, Switzerland - December 2,

2008 - Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) announced today that the European Medicines

Agency (EMEA) has approved Alcon's fixed combination eye drop, AZARGA (brinzolamide

10mg/ml+timolol 5mg/ml) ophthalmic suspension, for treatment of elevated

intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular

hypertension in adult patients for whom monotherapy provides insufficient IOP

clinical studies showed AZARGA

ophthalmic suspension to be more comfortable and better tolerated by patients

than COSOPT*. In a patient preference study comparing AZARGA and

COSOPT*, 79 percent of the glaucoma patients who expressed a preference

preferred AZARGA . Many

physicians believe that more comfortable medication may enhance adherence to

dosing regimens for patients with glaucoma, which is critical to protecting them

against potential vision loss.

trials supporting the approval also showed the active ingredients in AZARGA

suspension to be more effective when delivered in combination than either of

them individually. AZARGA

demonstrated superior IOP-lowering efficacy at every time point measured in the

study versus the individual components alone, while demonstrating a similar

safety profile. In addition, a head to head study showed that

IOP lowering efficacy that is similar to COSOPT*.

new product is a direct result of our commitment to offering more treatment

options to patients affected by glaucoma," said Sabri Markabi, M.D., Alcon's

senior vice president of research and development and chief medical

officer. "It is important to have an effective treatment that is both

comfortable and convenient for patients with a chronic disease such as

ophthalmic suspension will be available in Europe beginning in early

Ophthalmic Suspension

ophthalmic suspension is indicated for the decrease of intraocular

pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

for whom monotherapy provides insufficient IOP reduction. AZARGA

is a formulation that includes both brinzolamide and timolol. This

therapy is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active

ingredients in this product. For complete product information, see

a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve, is the second leading

cause of blindness worldwide. The onset of glaucoma occurs with no

symptoms, but if it remains untreated, gradual loss of peripheral vision may

ensue. When diagnosed early, glaucoma can be treated with medication,

laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery or a combination of therapeutic

options. Remaining vision may be preserved through treatment, but

there is currently no cure for glaucoma and lost vision cannot be restored.

Compliance or adherence to these treatments is essential to retain vision, but

for many reasons adherence is a problem for patients with glaucoma. Some of

these reasons include a lack of symptoms, drug discomfort, multiple drugs

prescriptions and complicated dosing regimens.

Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $5.6

billion in 2007. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic

industry for 60 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets

pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and

other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions

of the eye. Alcon's majority shareholder is Nestle, S.A., the world's

largest food company. For more information on Alcon Inc., visit the

company's Web site at www.alcon.com.

is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking

Statements. This press release contains forward-looking

statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of

1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other

factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be

materially different from any future results, performances or achievements

expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These statements reflect

the views of our management as of the date of this press release with respect to

future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and

uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on

these forward-looking statements. You should read this press release with the

understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from

what we expect. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws

and the rules an regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange

Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these

forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events

or circumstances or otherwise.