AstraZeneca study highlights importance of combating NSAID side-effects

AstraZeneca has published a new study which reveals that many UK patients are not receiving sufficient protection from the potential side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in treating osteoarthritis.

According to surveys of GPs conducted by the pharmaceutical company, 43 percent of osteoarthritis patients are not offered any means of gastro-protection when being administered with NSAIDs.

It means these people are likely to be susceptible to gastrointestinal problems, with 18 percent of patients only receiving gastro-protection after complaining of heartburn and side effects.

The research follows the recent launch of AstraZeneca's Vimovo, a therapy that combines the NSAID naproxen with the gastro-protectant proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole.

Dr Chris Barker, a primary care specialist in pain medicine, said treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis while managing the risk of side effects is a key challenge for GPs, adding that Vimovo provides a "welcome new option".

Earlier this month, it was announced that AstraZeneca will be allying with Cancer Research UK to conduct trials of experimental new combination oncology treatments.