NHS Makes GBP200 Non-Drug Hypertension Treatment Device Available on Prescription
LONDON, February 1, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- From today, an innovative non-drug, non-invasive treatment for high blood pressure will be made available to all hypertensive patients on NHS prescription. RESPeRATE is an interactive respiratory modulation device clinically-proven to lower blood pressure. When used for just 15 minutes a day, at least four times a week, RESPeRATE has demonstrated a significant, all-day blood pressure reduction beyond that seen with concurrent medication and lifestyle modification such as diet and exercise.
The NHS decision to make the GBP200 medical device available to patients on prescription [at the standard prescription charge of GBP7.40] is a clear reflection of the Department of Health's belief in RESPeRATE's potential as a new treatment option.
Dr Benjamin Gavish, inventor of RESPeRATE and Chief Scientist of InterCure (manufacturer of RESPeRATE), said: "We are delighted that patients in the UK can now obtain RESPeRATE on prescription. We hope that this pioneering move by the NHS to set up a new device category to supplement the currently available treatment options for hypertension will encourage GPs to integrate RESPeRATE into their hypertension standard of care."
High blood pressure affects over 16 million people in the UK and is the direct cause of half of all strokes and heart attacks in the country. Failure to control blood pressure to target levels results in over 60,000 unnecessary deaths every year. Despite many recent advances in the medical treatment of hypertension and public health campaigns aimed at highlighting awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure, it remains a significant public health problem in the UK.
RESPeRATE is most likely to be initially prescribed for patients aged 65+ with not-yet-at-target blood pressure - in spite of medication, those who have diabetes with hypertension and those who either refuse medication or suffer side effects with current medications. The good news is that there are no known contraindications for, and have been no adverse reactions to the use of RESPeRATE.
