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February 2, 2012

Novartis to hold live international webcast on enhancing blood pressure control with single-pill combinations

  • At least two-thirds of patients do not achieve guideline-recommended blood pressure (BP) targets, often due to poor treatment adherence.1 Moreover, most patients with hypertension require two or more blood pressure-lowering drugs to achieve BP goals.2As treatment adherence and persistence are critical to helping achieve BP targets,3,4,5 single-pill combinations (SPCs) offer a potential solution for better BP control.
  • On February 2, 2012, research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis will hold a live webcast in the United Kingdom entitled “Time for change: redefining the future of blood pressure management with single-pill combinations” that will be broadcast live over the Internet in Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Western Australia, and the Philippines.
  • To help address gaps in hypertension treatment compliance, Novartis developed a pill that combines three proven blood pressure-lowering medicines: Amlodipine + Valsartan + Hydrochlorothiazide.

Manila, January 30, 2012 – At least two-thirds of patients do not achieve guideline-recommended blood pressure (BP) targets, often due to poor treatment adherence.1 Moreover, most patients with hypertension require two or more blood pressure-lowering drugs to achieve BP goals.2

“Studies show that treatment adherence and persistence are critical to helping achieve BP targets.3,4,5 As such, single-pill combinations [SPCs] offer a potential solution for better BP control,” said Dr. Francis M. Domingo, Chief Scientific Officer, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

On February 2, 2012, research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis will hold a live webcast that will examine the benefits of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system-based SPCs. Entitled “Time for change: redefining the future of blood pressure management with single-pill combinations”, the live webcast will also provide a forum for physicians to dicuss the utility of SPCs with dual and triple components in helping improve patient compliance and achieve BP control.

The scientific discussion will be held in the United Kingdom and broadcast live over the Internet in Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Western Australia, and the Philippines. It will be chaired by Dr. Bryan Williams, Professor of Medicine, University of Leicester, and Dr. Gordon McInnes, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Glasgow. Prof. Williams will speak on “Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade: laying the foundation for a modern treatment regimen” while Prof. McInnes will discuss “Single-pill combinations – a new era in hypertension management”. After the presentations, an open forum will be held to allow doctors participating in the live webcast to ask questions from the resource speakers as well as share their comments. 

Around 200 doctors in the Philippines are set to participate in the live webcast, which will be held on February 2 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in six venues across the archipelago: Enderun, The Fort, Taguig City; Dolce Latte, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; Marriot Hotel in Cebu City; Mallberry Suites Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City; Mandaya Hotel in Davao City; and 21 Restaurant in Bacolod City.

“Single-pill combinations simplify the daily treatment regimen of hypertension, which promotes treatment adherence and persistence,” said Thomas Weigold, Country President & Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

Three anti-hypertension medicines in a single pill
To help address gaps in hypertension treatment compliance, Novartis developed a pill that combines three proven blood pressure-lowering medicines. Amlodipine + Valsartan + Hydrochlorothiazide works in different ways to lower blood pressure.

Amlodipine belongs to a class of anti-hypertension drugs called calcium channel blockers. CCBs act on the muscles cells in the walls of arteries, relaxing and widening the arteries thereby lowering blood pressure.

Valsartan belongs to a class of anti-hypertension drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Angiotensin II is a natural substance in the body that affects the cardiovascular system in many ways, such as by narrowing the blood vessels. This narrowing can increase blood pressure and force the heart to work harder. Angiotensin II also initiates the release of a hormone (aldosterone) that increases the amount of sodium and water in the body, which can lead to elevated blood pressure. Angiotensin II can also thicken and stiffen the walls of the blood vessels and heart. Valsartan blocks the action of angiotensin II thereby allowing blood vessels to dilate (widen). Valsartan is the only ARB approved by local FDA with four indications, namely, hypertension, post myocardial infarction, heart failure and delay progression of diabetes among patients with impaired glucose tolerance

Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of anti-hypertension drugs called diuretics, more commonly known as water pills. By acting on the kidneys, diuretics help the body get rid of salt (sodium) and water thereby decreasing the amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels, which reduces the pressure on the walls of arteries.

About Novartis
Novartis provides 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, diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas.  In  2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time- equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

References:

  1. Wolf-Maier K, et al. Hypertension treatment and control in five European countries, Canada and the United States. Hypertension 2004;43:10-17.

  2. Chobanlan AV, et al. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure. Hypertension 2003;42:1206-52.

  3. Yiannakopoulou EC, Papadopulos JS, Cokkinos DV, Mountokalakis TD. Adherence to antihypertensive treatment: a critical factor for blood pressure control. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2005;12:243-9.

  4. Halpern MT, Vincze G, Stewart WF, Khan ZM. Compliance with hypertension therapy and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Presented at the Annual Congress of the European Society of Hypertension 2006, Madrid, Spain.

  5. Breckveldt-Posma NS, Penning-van Beest FJ, Sliskonen SJ, et al. Effect of persistent use of antihypertensives on blood pressure goal attainment. Curr Med Res Opin 2008;24:1025-31.