Modern drugs 'help cut UK heart disease deaths', says study
Modern medicines are making a major contribution to the reported fall in the number of people dying from heart disease in the UK, says the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
Modern medicines are making a major contribution to the reported fall in the number of people dying from heart disease in the UK, says the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
A study published in the European Heart Journal has found that the number of Britons dying from heart disease has fallen by a third over the past 10 years. The researchers believe the fall in death rates may be due to the increased number of new treatments available, although they did find that patients' chances of surviving a heart attack can often depend on where they live.
'Modern medicines have undoubtedly made a major contribution to these extremely encouraging results,' said Dr Trevor Jones, director general of the ABPI. 'In particular, the use of statins to reduce the onset of heart problems has had a beneficial effect.'
A recent survey by the ABPI showed that there were more than 80 potential new medicines in devel-opment in the UK-based pharmaceutical industry to treat various cardiovascular conditions. 'Nevertheless, it is of concern that the study shows that the patient's chance of surviving a heart attack too often depends on where they live,' said Dr Jones. 'There is still much that needs to be done to eliminate the culture of postcode prescribing in the UK.'