Drug Company Launches "Take Action" Program

Novartis Pharmaceuticals recently introduced a groundbreakingnational initiative called Take Action for Healthy BloodPressure. The program will unite health care professionals andpatients in the fight against uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Take Action for Healthy Blood Pressure is a vital patient educationeffort that will communicate new information about bloodpressure goals and the effects of unmanaged hypertension.Furthermore, the initiative tackles a problem that clinicians haveknown for awhile: A major barrier to patients achieving bloodpressure goals is a failure to meet the terms of the recommendedcourse of treatment. Take Action for Healthy BloodPressure will educate the patients on the importance of measuringtheir blood pressure, exercising, and proper use of medication.The information will be disseminated via television andprint advertising, a comprehensive Web site, and communityblood pressure screenings.

Participants in the program can obtain tools to help themreach and maintain their blood pressure goals, including accessto a members-only Web site with information on healthy bloodpressure, a blood pressure tracking diary, and a physician discussionguide. For more information on the program, visitwww.HealthyBP.com, or call 866-556-3866.