Novartis AG is a Switzerland-based holding that, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of healthcare products. The Company’s healthcare solutions portfolio includes medicines, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, generic pharmaceuticals and consumer health products. Its businesses are divided on a worldwide basis into \ four operating divisions: Pharmaceuticals, which comprises brand-name patented pharmaceuticals; Vaccines and Diagnostics, which focuses on human vaccines and blood-testing diagnostics; Sandoz, which consists generic pharmaceuticals, and Consumer Health, which includes over-the-counter medicines, animal health medicines, and contact lenses and lens-care products. It operates in approximately 140 countries. In September 2009, Novartis AG announced that its Sandoz division has completed the acquisition of EBEWE Pharma's specialty generic injectables business.