Novartis gives more Filipino patients access to innovative hypertension treatment

MANILA, Philippines - Research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis announced the inclusion of its novel anti-hypertension drug, aliskiren, in the company’s patient compliance program to give more Filipino patients access to the innovative treatment.

“Patients can avail of substantial discounts on aliskiren through our Kaagapay patient compliance program. To enroll in Kaagapay, patients can talk to their doctor and ask for assistance,” said Christine Liwanag, corporate affairs and market access director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

The first-in-its-class direct renin inhibitor (DRI), aliskiren is the first and only high blood pressure medication that inhibits renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys. Renin initiates a process that leads to narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body. When these blood vessels are narrowed, blood pressure increases.

“Unlike other currently available classes of anti-hypertensive drugs that target the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) at the later stages of the blood pressure-regulating process, aliskiren acts at the beginning of this vital process,” explained Dr. Alan Gradman, cardiologist at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital and professor of Medicine at Temple University in Pennsylvania, USA. Gradman was involved in the clinical trials on aliskiren.

According to Gradman, low blood pressure prompts the kidneys to secrete renin. Renin then triggers the RAS causing blood vessels to narrow thereby, elevating blood pressure. “By inhibiting the action of renin, aliskiren helps blood vessels relax so blood pressure is lowered.”

Gradman noted that while crucial in maintaining normal levels of blood pressure in the body, the RAS sometimes becomes overactive and causes hypertension. “By directly inhibiting renin, aliskiren addresses the problem at its root.”

 “More than 85 percent of Filipino patients with hypertension are unable to control their high blood pressure,” said Dr. Jorge Sison, chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine of Medical Center Manila, citing results of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) 2007 nationwide survey PRESYON 2. “The survey results underscore the need for more effective anti-hypertension drugs.”

“The direct renin inhibitor aliskiren provides an innovative way to drive high blood pressure down. With direct renin inhibition, patients no longer have to go down the road of increased blood pressure brought on by renin,” said Dr. Lynn Gomez, a kidney specialist (nephrologist) and past president of the Philippine Society of Nephrology.