Affordable drug for hypertensive patients out

Patents have been regarded as a protection for manufacturers of pharmaceutical products. Some, however, regard them as a mechanism for monopoly and price exploitation such that even drugs used for life-saving indications may be given a premium pricing by their manufacturers, which may be beyond the financial reach of those who need them.

With the patent for the popularly prescribed antihypertensive felodipine already expired, thousands of hypertensive patients who are dependent on this drug can heave a sigh of relief with the introduction of an affordable brand of felodipine.

The new product, which has a different formulation and manufacturing process than other brands, offers advantages that can help sustain control of the blood pressure for 24 hours.

Various landmark trials have shown that an optimal control of the blood pressure can help prevent cardiovascular complications like heart attacks and strokes.

The new brand of felodipine is described to be a pharmacoeconomic drug, since it is an effective and safe drug which is bioequivalent with the reference or innovator product, and costs approximately 50 percent less.

Bioequivalence is the test to assess the absorption and availability of a product in the blood and in its site of action, compared to a reference drug, usually the innovator product.

If a new drug preparation is bioequivalent and is as effective as the reference drug but is lower in cost, it is said to be more cost-effective or pharmacoeconomic.

Consciousness of both doctors and patients on pharmacoeconomics is believed to be a major factor, which can help bring down the cost of medicines.

In recent months, multinational companies have been challenged to bring down the prices of their products to ensure that patients who need them will be able to afford them and sustain their treatment.

Felodipine is a prescription product and should only be taken with a doctor’s advice.