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Sanofi-Aventis Issues Strong Support for Voluntary 'Guiding Principles' on DTC Advertising

Published: Aug 03, 2005

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. and Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical operating entities of the sanofi-aventis Group, are strongly committed to following the voluntary "Guiding Principles" on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising developed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and its member companies, including sanofi-aventis.

"We believe that this approach is the most effective way of addressing the concerns expressed by policymakers and the public about this practice," said Timothy Rothwell, President and Chief Executive Officer of sanofi-aventis in the United States.

Experience indicates that DTC communications provide a public health service by prompting people to speak with their physicians about untreated or undiagnosed conditions or health problems. DTC advertising also helps keep physicians better informed about treatment options and in turn may help facilitate conversations with their patients.

"Overall, DTC advertising has been beneficial to both patients and physicians," stated Rothwell. "Can we do it better? Yes. And that's what the guidelines are all about."

About sanofi-aventis

The sanofi-aventis Group is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. The sanofi-aventis Group is listed in Paris and in New York .

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expect," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward- Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi- aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information or statements.

Sanofi-aventis Group subsidiaries in the United States include Sanofi- Synthelabo Inc., Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sanofi Pasteur Inc.

Contact: Marc Greene, (212) 551-4400, marc.greene@sanofi-aventis.com

sanofi-aventis

CONTACT: Marc Greene, +1-212-551-4400, marc.greene@sanofi-aventis.com, forsanofi-aventis

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