Today's headline in Daily Mail & Express "Ivabradine"

Today I read the front page headlines in The Daily Mail and The Express regarding a new " heart wonder drug" called Ivabradine and how the findings in a recent clinical trial are going to revolutionise the treatment of Heart Failure in the UK, currently over 100 000 people die from Heart Failure each year. The cost to the NHS of treating Heart Failure currently totals £625 million a year, therefore prevention of a patient suffering from Heart Failure could save lives and also save the NHS money.

The drug Ivabradine is licensed to treat patients with Angina when Beta-blockers are contra-indicated or not tolerated. However guidance has been given, in light of the clinical findings, for GP's to prescribe "off label" for those patients with Heart Failure they feel would benefit.

The article explained of a new heart "wonder drug" costing £1 a day which would help to save over 10 000 lives in the UK each year. Reading further into the story a real breakthrough in clinical practice was emerging.

The clinical evidence due to be published in the Lancet and the results of the clinical trials had been discussed yesterday at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Stockholm. Briefly, a few key points in relation to the clinical trial. Firstly, the trial was conducted in over 37 countries and performed over 2 years including over 6500 patients and led to a massive 26% reduction in death by Heart Failure and furthermore 26% reduction in Hospital Admissions.

Impressive results!  I promoted this drug to the local GP's in Manchester when working as a Medical Representative and received really positive comments from both GP's and Hospital Dr's in relation to the results achieved with this drug so I am really pleased even more positive clinical evidence has been achieved.

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