Valeant Canada acquires rights to Altace® (ramipril) and Altace HCT® (ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide) for the Canadian market Français
Altace® (ramipril) remains one of the most prescribed products for hypertension in Canada
LAVAL, QC, March 4, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Valeant Canada today announced its acquisition of the Canadian rights for Altace® (ramipril) and Altace HCT® (ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide), two angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors approved by Health Canada and indicated for hypertension, from Sanofi Canada. Valeant Canada will commercialize and manufacture Altace®/Altace HCT® locally at its Laval, Quebec facility. In doing so, Valeant will secure high quality production within Canadian standards and highly specialized Canadian jobs in its Quebec facility for years to come.
"In the treatment of patients deemed at high-risk of cardiovascular events, ramipril is an excellent first choice of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and represents a leap in practice for Canadian physicians," said Eva Lonn, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at McMaster University, and Director, Vascular Research Ultrasound Laboratory, Population Health Research Institute.
"The addition of Altace® to our established portfolio which already includes Lodalis®, Edarbi®, Glumetza® and Tiazac® XC represents another key milestone for the company in becoming the Canadian leader in the cardio-metabolic field", said Richard Lajoie Vice-President of the Pharma Business Unit at Valeant Canada.
About hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease. Hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated and the heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood through the blood vessels. Hypertension can be caused by many factors such as age, ethnicity and gender.1 Diabetic people with hypertension are also much more likely to develop heart disease and/or experience a stroke at an earlier age.2 Other factors, such as diet, exercise and smoking can be changed through lifestyle changes to reduce risks of hypertension.1
About Valeant Canada
Valeant Canada is a subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products, primarily in the areas of dermatology, eye health, neurology, and branded generics. More information about Valeant Canada can be found at www.valeantcanada.com.
###
The news release is available at www.cnw.ca.
References
____________________________
1 Heart and Stroke Foundation. www.heartandstroke.qc.ca
2 Canadian Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.ca
SOURCE Valeant Canada
Media contact: Marie-Christine Garon, Valeant Canada, [email protected], 514 409-0031
Share this article