MANCHESTER, England, September 12 /PRNewswire/ --



Some General Practitioners (GPs) over-estimate adverse risks associated
with the use of beta blocker drugs in the fight against heart disease,
according to research launched today at the British Pharmaceutical Conference
(BPC) in Manchester.

Beta blockers are known to reduce deaths and hospitalisation in patients
with heart failure.(1) But despite national evidence-based guidance(2), the
prescribing of beta blockers to treat heart failure in the UK is low.

Pharmacist Dr Duncan Petty from the University of Leeds led the research
and said: "The study assessed GPs' knowledge of beta blockers through a
questionnaire, and found that although GPs were aware of the scale of the
benefits, they tended to over-estimate adverse effects compared to placebo.

"The harmful effects of beta blockers in patients with heart failure who
do not have contraindications are small. However, the benefits are high, as
are those for ACE-inhibitor drugs that are also used to treat heart failure."

The study, based in Bradford, also showed that GPs tended to understand
the relative risks and benefits in the treatment of heart failure, indicating
that lack of knowledge is not the barrier to under-prescribing.

Dr Petty said: "Pharmacists have a lot of expert advice to offer and want
to work with GPs on issues like this, to ensure that patients receive the
highest possible standards of care and treatment.

"We know these drugs can save lives, so we need to conduct more research
to determine why the prescribing rate of beta-blockers for heart failure is
exceptionally low in the UK.(3)"

The British Pharmaceutical Conference Press Office (September 10, 11 and
12 only)

Tel: +44-(0)161-839-9170

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Notes to Editors

The British Pharmaceutical Conference - entitled "The medicines maze:
balancing risks and benefits" - takes place from 10th to 12th September,
2007, at Manchester Central (formerly Manchester International Convention
Centre). The theme of BPC 2007 is reflected throughout the programme, with
keynote speeches and workshops addressing crucial technical and professional
issues that are facing pharmacy today. The conference will showcase the
latest developments in pharmaceutical science and practice research and
include discussion and debate led by expert speakers.

References

(1). Bouzamondo A, Hulot J, Sanchez P, Lechat P. Beta-blocker benefits
according to severity of heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure.
2003;5:281-289.

(2). Ko DT, Hebert PR, Coffey CS, Curtis JP, et al. Adverse effects of
beta-blocker therapy for patients with heart failure: a quantitative 
overview of randomized trials. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(13):1389-94.

(3). Leslie SJ, McKee SP, Imray EA, Denvir MA. Management of chronic 
heart failure: perceived needs of general practitioners in light of the 
new general medical services contract. Postgrad Med J. 2005 May;
81(955):321-6.