Figures of the study called the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) have revealed that Generic drugs that are taken for blood pressure are equally good compared to the new and more costly ones. The canvassers tracked partakers of ALLHAT, who were on three kinds of blood pressure drugs, for an average of 8.8 years.

It was seen that a generic diuretic (chlorthalidone) was not only effectual in reducing blood pressure, but was also helpful in putting off heart attack and stroke. It was reported to be equally good just like calcium channel blocker (Norvascor) or ACE inhibitor (Prinivil, Zestril). Dr. Paul Whelton of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., and associates said that in fact the noteworthy variation was on diuretic's side.

It was also found that in comparison to the calcium channel blocker, patients on diuretic were less prone to heart failure hospitalization and casualties. Also, diuretic lowered the odds of deadly strokes than ACE inhibitor.

Dr. Paul Whelton, President and CEO of Loyola University Health System and Chairman of ALLHAT, said during a university news release, "We are continuing to mine data that we collected during the trial".

While generic diuretics carry an annual cost of $25 to $40, new brand-name hypertension medicines cost $300 to $600, per year.

The findings of the study were submitted at the China Heart Congress and International Heart Forum, in Beijing.