This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new heart failure drug by Novartis and this led to excitement in the medical community. According to many, the drug is reliable "blockbuster" and "breakthrough”, which will help save millions of lives.

According to Clyde Yancy, a cardiologist and chief of the division of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, some patients are already contacting him to request access to the new drug.

As per reports, approximately 26 million people throughout the world are suffering from heart failure. During failure of heart, the heart becomes weak and is not capable of pumping adequate blood and oxygen to organs of a body. Generally, a heart attack or high blood pressure leads to heart diseases and condition becomes severe over time.

With passage of time, when the condition becomes worse, the treatment involves open-heart surgery or a pacemaker. Drugs like enalapril are used; other treatments include an ACE inhibitor or beta blockers.

Entresto was earlier called as LCZ696; it is told to be the first breakthrough of a new class of drugs, known as angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors, for the health problem. As per reports, the tablet has to be taken twice a day.

According to Forbes, ”Despite the fact that Entresto is a drug that will allow heart failure patients to live longer and avoid hospitalizations, Novartis is now in discussions to justify the price of the drug with respect to the overall benefits to patients”.