News in brief

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has been given approval by EU regulators to purchase a 52 per cent stake in eye care company Alcon in addition to the 25 per cent it already owns.

Novartis will be allowed to buy the stake from current owner Nestlé after agreeing to divest several products in the ophthalmological, pharmaceutical and consumer eye care sectors in the EU.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care is supporting the Sight Care Group's 'Eye Love My Local Independent Optician' campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of independent local optical practices. Senior product manager of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care for UK and Ireland Shirley Bovonsombat said: 'Johnson & Johnson Vision Care is proud to be supporting a campaign that gives the independent sector a voice. We look forward to working with the Sight Care Group to help highlight the valuable contribution independents make to the eye care market.'