Calcium channel blocker Adalat GITS offer additional benefits

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.