Calcium Channel Blocker Adalat GITS Offer Additional Benefits
ACTION-trial shows medical and economic advantages of nifedipine
GITS therapy
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, March 28, 2007 – Two recently
published articles in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology provide
further evidence that the use of the long-acting calcium channel
blocker (CCB) nifedipine GITS (Adalat? GITS) has additional
benefits beyond its blood pressure lowing effect. A first
publication from Lubsen et al. (Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
2007; first published online) demonstrates that while the blood
pressure lowering effect of nifedipine GITS did play a major role
in the reduction of debilitating stroke and new overt heart
failure, the anti-anginal and vascular protective effects of
nifedipine GITS seem to be just as important in reducing
cardiovascular events. A second publication by Poole-Wilson et al.
(Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 2007; first published online)
also demonstrates that a nifedipine GITS therapy in patients with
stable angina can help contain healthcare expenses by reducing the
need for additional medication and the use of expensive diagnostic
and surgical procedures. Both these papers are based on analyses of
the ACTION-database. ACTION (A Coronary Disease Trial Investigating
Outcome with Nifedipine GITS) collected data from 7,665 patients
with stable angina pectoris.
Lowering blood pressure helps reduce stroke and heart
failure
The ACTION-trial showed that adding nifedipine GITS to a best
practice angina pectoris therapy significantly reduced the
incidence of any stroke or TIA (28%) and the development of new
overt heart failure (29%). Using an innovative statistical
approach, Lubsen et al. found that nifedipine GITS’ ability
to lower systolic blood pressure was largely responsible for these
impressive results. The reduction in the risks of coronary
angiography and surgery, attributed to nifedipine GITS on the other
hand, are likely to be due to an anti-anginal and a vascular
protective effect.
Efficient utilization of resources
Using the ACTION data, Poole-Wilson et al. showed that adding
nifedipine GITS to the best practice therapy reduced the need for
additional medication and also the use of expensive diagnostic and
surgical procedures together with their associated costs. Basis for
the calculation of hospital expenses was a reference hospital in
the Netherlands. The estimated cost of medication was also based on
drug pricing in the Netherlands. In total the incremental cost of
the nifedipine GITS therapy was just about € 69 per year, or
about € 3,036 per year of event free survival.
Bayer HealthCare
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the
world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and
medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The
company combines the global activities of the Animal Health,
Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The
pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering
Pharma AG, Germany. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and
manufacture products that will improve human and animal health
worldwide.
Bayer Schering Pharma
Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, is a worldwide leading specialty
pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are
focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging,
Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized
Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products,
Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized
markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to
make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the
quality of life.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on
current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management.
Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
could lead to material differences between the actual future
results, financial situation, development or performance of the
company and the estimates given here. These factors include those
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(including Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever
to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to
future events or developments.
Posted: March 2007
