The FDA is looking into whether Daiichi Sankyo’s blood pressure medicine Benicar increases the risk of heart-related death. The regulatory body said it is evaluating data from a pair of clinical trials in which diabetes patients taking the drug, known chemically as olmesartan, had a higher rate of death from heart related causes compared with patients taking a placebo. In addition to reviewing data from the two studies, the FDA said it is considering additional ways to assess the cardiovascular effects of Benicar.

Daiichi Sankyo Inc and Eli Lilly received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Effient (prasugrel) tablets to be used for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events. Effient reduces thrombotic cardiovascular events (including stent thrombosis) in patients suffering from acutecoronary syndromes and undergoing an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI usually includes the placement of a stent to help keep the artery open.