AMLODIPINE (as besylate) with VALSARTAN and HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE, tablets, 5 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 5 mg-160 mg-25 mg, 10 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 10 mg-160mg-25 mg, and 10 mg-320 mg-25 mg, Exforge HCT®
Page last updated: 19 October 2010
Public Summary Document
Product: AMLODIPINE (as besylate) with VALSARTAN
and HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE, tablets, 5 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 5 mg-160
mg-25 mg, 10 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 10 mg-160 mg-25 mg, and 10 mg-320
mg-25 mg, Exforge HCT®
Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty
Ltd
Date of PBAC Consideration: July 2010
1. Purpose of Application
To request a Restricted Benefit listing for a fixed dose
combination tablet of amlodipine with valsartan and
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for the treatment of hypertension in
patients whose blood pressure is already adequately controlled on
the triple combination of amlodipine and valsartan and HCTZ, taken
either as individual or combination therapies.
2. Background
The fixed dose combination item containing amlodipine with
valsartan and HCTZ had not previously been considered by the
PBAC.
3. Registration Status
All the five strengths of amlodipine with valsartan and HCTZ fixed
dose combination tablets were TGA registered on 9 April 2010 for
use only as substitution therapy for the treatment of hypertension
in patients whose blood pressure is already adequately controlled
on the triple combination of amlodipine, valsartan and
hydrochlorothiazide taken either as three single component
formulations or as dual-component formulation with a single
component formulation, all components at the same dose level.
Treatment should not be initiated with these fixed-dose
combinations.
4. Listing Requested and PBAC’s View
Restricted Benefit
Hypertension in patients already adequately controlled on the
triple combination of amlodipine, valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide
(as individual or combination therapies).
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
5. Clinical Place for the Proposed Therapy
Many patients with hypertension require three or more agents to
achieve target blood pressure. Combining three antihypertensive
compounds with complimentary mechanisms to control blood pressure
in a single tablet formulation reduces the tablet burden.
6. Comparator
The submission nominated the three component products - amlodipine,
valsartan and HCTZ given concomitantly as the main
comparator.
7. Clinical Trials
The submission presented two direct, randomised, open-label,
cross-over bioequivalence trials (2305 and 2306), to determine the
relative bioavailability of 5/160/12.5 mg and 10/160/25 mg
combinations compared to their free forms (three components taken
concomitantly) and one randomised double-blind, parallel-group
trial (2302) to evaluate the additive efficacy and safety of triple
fixed dose combination of Exforge HCT® compared with
all three possible dual components (amlodipine/valsartan;
HCT/valsartan and amlodipine/HCT).
The key trial published at the time of submission is shown in the
table below:
| Trial ID/First author | Protocol title/ Publication title | Publication citation |
| Non-direct randomised trial: Triple vs. dual - additive effectiveness and safety | ||
| VEA489A2302 (referred to as Study 2302) | ||
| Calhoun, D.A. et al (2009) | Triple antihypertensive therapy with amlodipine, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide: A randomized clinical trial. | Hypertension 2009; 54 (1):pp32-9 |
8. Results of Trials
Effectiveness – bioequivalence studies
The bioequivalence studies, 2305 and 2306, compared relevant
treatment arms. The endpoints examined in these studies were
pharmacokinetic parameters to demonstrate bioequivalence between
the fixed and free forms of the three components.
The acceptance range for bioequivalence, used in the submission,
was that the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of geometric
means should lie within 0.80 to 1.25. The 80-125% range is accepted
on the basis that for most ‘uncomplicated’ drugs, a
-20% to +25% variation in plasma concentrations would not be
considered clinically important.
Overall, the rates (Cmax) and extent of absorption (AUC) of
amlodipine, valsartan and HCT, were similar between the fixed and
free combinations for both strengths (5/160/12.5 mg and 10/160/25
mg) of the triple fixed dose combination. The results indicate that
for Study 2305, the 90% confidence intervals for the ratios of
geometric means for AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and
Cmax for valsartan, amlodipine and HCT (5/160/12.5 mg) were within
the required bioequivalence range of 0.8-1.25. This suggests that
the rate and extent of absorption for the three fixed component
treatment was similar to that of the free combination treatment.
The results were similar for Study 2306 which examined the
bioequivalence of the 10/160/25 mg strength of the fixed dose
combination with the free combination treatment.
Effectiveness – additive effectiveness of triple fixed combination compared to dual fixed combination: Study 2302.
The results from Study 2302 provided evidence on additive
effectiveness of Exforge HCT® (that is, where
Exforge is used as an add-on of a third component to a dual
combination therapy). The ESC advised that the results of this
study should be interpreted with caution given the limited external
validity of the trial population.
The within treatment analysis of the primary endpoints demonstrated
that there were statistically significant reductions from baseline
in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (MSDBP) and mean sitting
systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) for all 4 treatment arms at
endpoint (Week 9). The greatest reductions in BP were observed with
triple therapy. The between-treatment comparison demonstrated that
triple therapy was clinically and statistically superior to all
three dual therapies in reducing both diastolic and systolic blood
pressure at endpoint in the ITT population. Results of the
between-treatment comparisons at Weeks 5, 7 and 9 were similar to
those observed at endpoint for the intent-to-treat (ITT) patients.
Similar results at endpoint were also obtained for the per protocol
population.
Exforge HCT® was superior to dual combination
therapy for the majority of secondary endpoints, which included
blood pressure (BP) control rates.
In the bioequivalence studies (2305 & 2306), both fixed and
free combinations appeared to be well tolerated at the administered
dosages. Neither study reported serious adverse events/deaths nor
clinically important changes in vital signs/clinical laboratory
measurements.
In Study 2302, the most frequently observed adverse events in the
triple therapy arm were dizziness and peripheral oedema. No details
of other types of oedema were presented in the submission. Of these
two types of events, dizziness was more frequent in the triple
therapy arm compared to all dual therapy arms. The incidence of
dizziness was comparable between triple therapy (7.7%) and
valsartan/HCT (7.0%) but occurred less frequently with
valsartan/amlodipine (2.3%) and HCT/amlodipine (3.9%).
9. Clinical Claim
The submission described Exforge HCT® as superior to
the dual combinations of its components and as bioequivalent to the
three individual components taken concomitantly. The PBAC accepted
this claim.
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
10. Economic Analysis
The submission presented a cost minimisation analysis. The equi-effective doses were determined in the submission as follows:
- Exforge HCT® 5/160/12.5mg once daily (QD) was equivalent to the concomitant use of Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) 5/160mg and HCT 12.5mg (once daily);
- Exforge HCT® 5/160/25mg QD was equivalent to the concomitant use of Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) 5/160mg and HCT 25mg (once daily);
- Exforge HCT® 10/160/12.5mg QD was equivalent to the concomitant use of Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) 10/160mg and HCT 12.5mg (once daily);
- Exforge HCT® 10/160/25mg QD was equivalent to the concomitant use of Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) 10/160mg and HCT 25mg (once daily); and
- Exforge HCT® 10/320/25mg QD was equivalent to the concomitant use of Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) 10/320mg and HCT 25mg or Co-Diovan® (valsartan-HCT) 320/25mg and amlodipine 10mg (once daily).
11. Estimated PBS Usage and Financial Implications
The likely number of packs dispensed per year was estimated to be between 10,000 and
50,000 in Year 5.
The financial savings per year to the PBS were estimated to be less than $10 million per year in Year 5.
The submission’s estimate was based on Exforge HCT® being restricted to patients stabilised on its three components given as triple therapy,
as per the requested restriction presented in the submission. This is different to
the restriction recommended by PBAC.
12. Recommendation and Reasons
The PBAC recommended listing of amlodipine with valsartan and
hydrochlorothiazide on the PBS as a Restricted Benefit listing for
hypertension in a patient who is not adequately controlled with any
two of the drugs in the combination in accordance with the
combination guidelines, on a cost-minimisation basis compared with
the constituent components at equivalent doses.
The PBAC noted that the listing would allow add-on as well as
substitution therapy but considered that this was consistent with
current guidelines and clinical practice for the treatment of
hypertension. It is also consistent with recommendations made by
the PBAC at the March 2010 meeting regarding the ACEI/ATRA with
diuretic combination products and the ACEI/ATRA with calcium
channel blocker and is a pragmatic approach
The PBAC noted that although most of the data provided were for
bioequivalence (Study 2305 and 2306), it accepted that the triple
combination was superior to all three dual combinations of its
components in reducing blood pressure (Study 2302) and
bioequivalent to the three individual components taken
concomitantly. The observed safety profile was consistent with the
known pharmacological effects of an angiotensin II receptor
blocker, a thiazide diuretic and a calcium channel blocker.
The PBAC decided it was not satisfied as required by section 101
(4AC) of the National Health Act 1953 and therefore it
will not provide advice to the Minister under that subsection in
relation to the following combination item: amlodipine (as
besylate) with valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tablets, 5 mg-160
mg-12.5 mg, 5 mg-160 mg-25 mg, 10 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 10 mg-160
mg-25 mg, and 10 mg-320 mg-25mg which have the brand name Exforge
HCT. The PBAC noted that there was no basis to conclude that any of
these combination products have any significant improvement in
compliance, efficacy or reduction in toxicity over their
alternative therapies for some patients.
Recommendation:
AMLODIPINE (as besylate) with VALSARTAN and HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE,
tablets, 5 mg-160 mg-12.5 mg, 5 mg-160 mg-25 mg, 10 mg-160 mg-12.5
mg, 10 mg-160 mg-25 mg, and 10 mg-320 mg-25 mg
Restriction:
Restricted Benefit
Hypertension in a patient who is not adequately controlled with
any two of the drugs in the combination.
Maximum quantity: 28
Repeats: 5
13. Context for Decision
The PBAC helps decide whether and, if so, how medicines should be
subsidised in Australia. It considers submissions in this context.
A PBAC decision not to recommend listing or not to recommend
changing a listing does not represent a final PBAC view about the
merits of the medicine. A company can resubmit to the PBAC or seek
independent review of the PBAC decision.
14. Sponsor’s Comment
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia welcomes the PBAC’s
recommendation to make Exforge HCT® available to
patients with hypertension, which is not adequately controlled with
two of the drugs in the combination.
