The drug major Novartis has launched 'BP GOAL initiative' to support people with high blood pressure adhere to therapy and fight the world's leading killer disease.

Novartis said over 80,000 people with high blood pressure will take part in the first-ever worldwide initiative to quantify the benefits of patient support tools on adherence to anti-hypertensive medicines. The BP GOAL initiative is an effort by cardiovascular experts across the globe to help people achieve and maintain their blood pressure treatment goals.

BP GOAL comprises a family of trials taking place in 12 countries across the globe. The aim is to increase patient and physician awareness of the importance of adherence to treatment. In a similar effort, 15,000 people are taking part in the US BLISS trial, which will also evaluate the benefits of support tools in the management of high blood pressure.

Patients participating in BP GOAL will receive a variety of support tools and will be monitored over 12 months. Investigators will then assess the value of different support tools for improving patient adherence and achievement of blood pressure targets. They will also compare trends in adherence across different geographic regions.

Enrolment has taken place throughout 2006 and will continue into early 2007. The first results of BP GOAL are expected to be available in early 2008 while results from BLISS in the US will be available in 2007.

An estimated one in four adults is affected by high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. High blood pressure is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney diseases. Nevertheless, up to 60 per cent of patients discontinue treatment within 12 months and thus fail to reach blood pressure goals.

Poor adherence or failure to take medications as advised is estimated to cost some national economies billions of dollars each year. There are multiple reasons for adherence problems including poor understanding of the consequences of high blood pressure and failure to make treatment part of a daily routine. Recent studies have highlighted poor levels of adherence to treatment amongst patients with serious chronic conditions and have called for initiatives to improve long-term adherence, said a company release.

There is a widespread belief and experience among physicians that support tools can help patients adhere to antihypertensive therapy. Support tools, such as reminder text messages, home blood pressure monitors and blood pressure target education, prompt patients to take their medication as directed, help them develop a routine, and allow them to become more involved in managing their own health. Nevertheless, no large-scale studies have been conducted to quantify the benefits of these support tools.

"Conquering high blood pressure requires a comprehensive approach," according to Ameet Nathwani, MD, Novartis Global Head of CVM Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, "BP GOAL will provide a better understanding of adherence, which is a key component of care."