LONDON, November 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Sevikar HCT®▼ combines three treatments in one reducing the number of tablets patients take to manage high blood pressure

Today Daiichi Sankyo UK announces that it has launched Sevikar HCT, the first three-in-one pill in the UK to treat high blood pressure.^[1] This condition affects around 8.5 million people in the UK.^[2] High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the 'silent killer' as it rarely has obvious symptoms.^[3] Left untreated or uncontrolled, it is the biggest cause of stroke.^[4]

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Almost 2 million people in the UK take three or more pills for their high blood pressure,^[2] however up to 80% of patients don't take their medication as directed by their doctor,^[5] or end up throwing them away. Blood pressure control is much easier to achieve when patients take their medication as directed.^[6] As Sevikar HCT is one single pill, this reduces the number of pills that patients with high blood pressure need to take.

"High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke and in fact 40% of all strokes could be avoided if more people took steps to control their blood pressure through healthy lifestyle changes or medication," says Dr Sharlin Ahmed Research Liaison Officer at The Stroke Association. "Many people with high blood pressure are required to take multiple pills every day to reduce their blood pressure and therefore reduce their risk of stroke, but calculating when each pill needs to be taken can often be confusing. Combining the pills into one could make taking the medication much simpler. However, it's important to note that this pill might not be suitable for everyone and it may have side effects so every patient should be assessed and treated on an individual basis."

Stroke affects one person every five minutes and is the third most common cause of death in the UK.^[7] Stroke costs the NHS an estimated £2.8 billion each year and the cost to the English economy is an estimated £7 billion.^[8] It is estimated that improving medication compliance may have a greater impact on clinical health outcomes than improved treatments, a Cochrane review concluded.^[9]

Sevikar HCT is available in five, tailored doses ensuring that patients can be prescribed the combination that is right for them.^[1]

References:

1. Sevikar HCT Summary of Product Characteristics [online] May 2011. Available from: http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/24547/SPC/Sevikar+HCT/. Last accessed on 03 November 2011.
2. Data on File: Cegedim Strategic Data - Longitudinal Patient Data (UK) DOF/11/0001.
3. NHS Conditions - High blood pressure (hypertension). Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx. Last accessed on 03 November 2011.
4. The Stroke Association. Wales goes the extra mile for stroke [online] 2011. Available from: http://www.stroke.org.uk/media_centre/press_releases/wales/step_out_wales.html. Last accessed on 10th November 2011.
5. NICE Partial update of CG18 and CG34 [online] May 2011. Available from: http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/12167/54727/54727.pdf. Last accessed on 03 November 2011.
6. Yiannakopoulou, E et al. Adherence to antihypertensive treatment: a critical factor for blood pressure control. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2005; 12(3): 243-249.
7. Stroke Association; Who is at risk? [online] http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/about_stroke/who_does_stroke_affect/index.html. Last accessed November 2011.
8. NICE. Clinical Guideline 68: Stroke [online] July 2008 http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/12018/41331/41331.pdf. Last accessed on 03 November 2011.
9. Haynes, RB et al. Interventions for enhancing medication adherence. The Cochrane Library. 2008;4.

Notes to editors:

About Sevikar HCT

Sevikar HCT is indicated as substitution therapy for adult patients whose blood pressure is adequately controlled on the combination of olmesartan medoxomil, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide, taken as a dual-component (olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine or olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide) and a single-component formulation (hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine).^[1]

About Daiichi Sankyo in hypertension

The Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address the diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. While maintaining its portfolio of marketed pharmaceuticals for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and bacterial infections, the Group is engaged in the development of treatments for thrombotic disorders and focused on the discovery of novel oncology and cardiovascular-metabolic therapies. Furthermore, the Daiichi Sankyo Group has created a "Hybrid Business Model," which will respond to market and customer diversity and optimise growth opportunities across the value chain. For more information, please visit: http://www.daiichisankyo.com.

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SOURCE Daiichi Sankyo