From 2000 to 2002, an investigation and analysis on the application of renin-angiotensin system drugs in hospitals in Guangdong Province stood out. ARB is a new class of antihypertensive drugs that selectively block the AT receptor of angiotensin II. Unlike ACEI (Plymouth class), they do not inhibit bradykinin metabolism or enhance prostaglandin synthesis. Therefore, they have good tolerability. The incidence of cough is much lower than in the Puli class, and ARBs have stable, long-lasting antihypertensive effects with minimal adverse reactions, no sodium retention, no significant effect on heart rate, blood glucose, or lipids. In recent years, this type of antihypertensive drug has come to the forefront. By analyzing the sales and DDDs in Chinese hospitals, it can be seen that Losartan experienced a rapid increase in medication amounts and DDDs in 2004, possibly due to its being the first listed and having the first market initiative, along with its unique ability to lower blood uric acid. Valsartan and Irbesartan followed, beginning to capture the market since Yi Beisha frank entered the Guangdong market in 2001. Its rapid rise may be related to advertising effects and its lowest price among similar drugs, as well as Irbesartan itself being the active form without conversion, leading to high bioavailability and quick acceptance by most hypertensive patients.
In terms of market outlook, as people's living standards improve and stress increases, the number of hypertensive patients has significantly increased, presenting a huge market potential for antihypertensive drugs. Calcium channel blockers and renin-angiotensin system drugs have long occupied a larger share of the antihypertension drug market. After ACEIs were launched, they were widely used in the cure of various cardiovascular diseases and demonstrated better antihypertensive effects on high blood pressure. With the addition of ARB drugs to the market, which have enhanced antihypertensive effects and reduced adverse reactions, the role of these drugs has steadily risen in the number of hospital procurements and the purchase cost of renin-angiotensin system drugs. As the number of patients intolerant to ACEIs increases, ARBs provide a more complete blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with stable, long-lasting antihypertensive effects, low incidence of adverse reactions and cough, which will continue to drive the growth in sales of such drugs. The market for angiotensin II receptor antagonists soon shows an irresistible tendency to dominate, gradually penetrating the entire cardiovascular therapeutic area, becoming a single large class following ACEIs with great potential for development and market competition.
With the globalization trend, the world’s major pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly paying attention to this huge market of over one hundred million hypertensive patients due to the enormous market potential and economic benefits of antihypertensive drugs. This drives manufacturers and researchers to further increase their enthusiasm and funding for these drugs, making their market prospects quite considerable.