Healthy Skepticism Library item: 319

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Tierney P.
Novartis Offers Money Back on Blood Pressure Drugs
Reuters 2004 Apr 27

Full text:

Novartis is offering U.S. patients their money back if they do not see a reduction in high blood pressure after using its hypertension drugs Diovan and Lotrel, the Swiss drug maker said on Tuesday.

Patients who do not reach the blood pressure target set by their doctor will be eligible for reimbursement of up to four months of their out-of-pocket drug costs, Novartis said.

Eligible patients must have taken the maximum dose of Diovan or Lotrel for at least 30 days. Patients will also receive a free 30-day trial and reimbursement for a blood pressure monitor, the company said at a press conference in Washington.

Paulo Costa, president and CEO of Novartis’ U.S. division, said the rebate program was expected to have a “favorable commercial impact” on the company’s bottom line.

“I think we will see more patients being motivated to change their blood pressure drugs,” Costa said in an interview.

The move is a novel twist in a competitive U.S. pharmaceutical marketplace that has seen several companies take inventive marketing steps recently.

Earlier this month, Pfizer launched a scheme offering free Viagra prescriptions to loyal users.