Study compares single-pill combination for hypertension

Researchers are calling for Australian hypertension guidelines to be updated after their analysis of 57 single-pill combinations (SPCs) found they can save both patients and the healthcare system money.
 
Published in the Journal of Hypertension, the study found that  using single pills combining two or more medications as a first line treatment for hypertension is ‘safer, more effective, and more economical’ than multiple pills of equivalent dose.
 
Led by The George Institute for Global Health, researchers analysed the SPCs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and found they resulted in average savings of 30% for patients.
 
However, researchers say PBS restrictions currently prevent SPCs from being prescribed as initial therapy, despite international guidelines recommending them as a first step in treating hypertension.
 
Professor Alta Schutte, Co-Director of the Global Cardiovascular Program at The George Institute, said while updating Australia’s clinical guidelines to reflect this is an important step, reimbursement criteria must also be changed to enable clinicians to do so.

‘Currently, Australia’s PBS rules make it difficult for doctors to start patients on single-pill combinations, despite clear evidence that they reduce serious risks like heart attacks and strokes,’ she said.
 
‘Our analysis shows that using these combinations could save money for both patients and the Government.
 
‘This is a real opportunity to improve policy, cut costs, and most importantly, save lives.’
 
The study’s release comes as cost-of-living and high out-of-pocket costs continue to prevent Australians from accessing healthcare.
 
Professor Schutte said the change would help to address this, and that Australia now has the tools and the data to make this change, but what is needed now is policy change.
 
‘The evidence in favour of SPCs as first-line treatment is overwhelming, it should be standard practice in Australia,’ she said.
 
‘Now is the time for the Government to act by updating PBS restrictions so clinicians can follow global best practice.
 
‘This would be a win-win for consumers and for the health system.’
 
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