Quebec is the first province in Canada to reimburse new drug developed to treat chronic hepatitis B

    MONTREAL, Feb. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada announced
today that Baraclude(TM), a drug administered orally to treat chronic
hepatitis B virus infection, will be reimbursed by the Régime général
d'assurance médicaments du Québec to naive patients and those who are
refractory to current drugs.
    Quebec is consequently the first province in Canada to enter Baraclude on
its list to treat adults suffering from chronic hepatitis B virus infection,
with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent
elevations in serum levels of aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically
active disease.
    "We're delighted with the Conseil du médicament's decision to make
Baraclude available on the list of refundable drugs under Quebec's public
plan. We're convinced that patients battling with hepatitis B will
enthusiastically welcome the availability of a more effective alternative than
the present treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection," stated
Jean-Paul Bédard, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs.

    About Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada

    Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, a global pharmaceutical and related health care
products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company of Canada is a leading provider of medicines to
fight cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases
(including HIV/AIDS), nervous system diseases and serious mental illness.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the BMY symbol (NYSE:BMY). Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada's operations are
headquartered in Montréal, Québec.

For further information: Marc Osborne, Director, Public Relations,
Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, (514) 333-2463, marc.osborne@bms.com