BMJ  2005;331:235-236 (23 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7510.235-b

Letter

Perindopril monotherapy and PROGRESS in Europe

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Perindopril has been registered in Poland as monotherapy for the prevention of recurrent stroke. The perindopril protection against recurrent stroke study (PROGRESS) is given as the only supporting evidence for this new indication, which is difficult to reconcile with the trialists' admission in the text of the publication that treatment with perindopril alone showed no discernible reduction in the risk of stroke.¹

Promotion of the new indication for perindopril is ongoing in Poland. Full page advertisements have run in Medycyna Praktyczna (issues 7-8/2004), announcing this "NEW INDICATION FOR USE," the capitalised words situated above a cartoon brain. Below the brain we read: "Secondary prevention of cerebrovascular incidents. THE ONLY ACEI registered for secondary prevention of cerebrovascular incidents in patients regardless of their age." Prominently displayed is the familiar PROGRESS logo.

No mention of indapamide is made in the prescribing instructions. No mention is . . . [Full text of this article]

Richard.Wennberg@uhn.on.ca
University of Toronto, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada M5T 2S8

University of Toronto, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada M5T 2S8

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