The purpose of Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. is to passionately save, prolong and improve animal lives. The company is at the forefront of new and better treatments for pets and farm animals. Some of the most common areas that their companion animal products treat are pet ailments, such as internal and external parasites, arthritic pain, behavior modification, endocrinology and allergic diseases. Novartis farm animal products include insecticides for farm fly and pest control, livestock vaccines and dewormers and farmed fish vaccines. In general, Novartis products are available by prescription through veterinarians.Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 128,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world.