Alcon reports global boost from CL sales

Alcon's Vision Care division posted fourth-quarter global sales of $606m, up 4 per cent, as a result of solid sales of contact lenses and better multipurpose product sales against a weak quarter for the latter in 2011.

Novartis described the results as Alcon Vision Care's strongest quarterly performance since the 2011 merger. 'Contact lens performance was driven by the continued growth of Air Optix. Regionally, strong sales growth of the Dailies brand in the US and contact lenses in Asia and Japan contributed to performance. Dailies Total1 has had continued success following launches in several European countries with strong sales growth. Contact lens solution sales also grew strongly due to weak previous year multipurpose product sales and continued AOsept/Clear Care hydrogen peroxide solution sales growth,' it said.