German trade group VFA slams IQEH reports on blood pressure and Alzheimer's drugs

After four years' work, Germany's Institute for Quality & Efficiency in Healthcare (IQEH, an independent scientific institute) has delivered a report on high blood pressure that could affect millions of people in Germany. Every second German suffers from high blood pressure, according to an estimate by the Robert Koch Institute. The IQEH's report could have far-reaching consequences as it will inform health insurers' decision on which high blood pressure treatments patients will be granted.

Commenting on this, the research-based pharmaceutical trade group the VFA's general manager, Cornelia Yzer, says that 'the IQEH's report leans towards a course of action that could have severe consequences for millions of people. By criticizing the group of drugs known as antihypertensives, the IQEH is implicitly endorsing diuretics, a course of treatment that experts deem unsatisfactory owing to its side effects. Long-term therapy with diuretics can lead to diabetes. That would be extremely unpleasant for those affected and very expensive for the health system.'

She continued: 'The IQEH's high blood pressure study is flawed. Many experts had cast doubt on its methodology while it was being prepared but their concern was not addressed in the final report. The study is largely derived from a major report in the 1990s that even the IQEH has said was based on highly-questionable methodological principles. The upshot is that a great deal of time has been spent on a study that has produced nothing useful. It is bad news for millions of people who suffer from high blood pressure.'