The goal of Big Pharma is to sell drugs, whether safe or not. It is always advertising new on-patent drugs because they have the greatest potential for profit. The most effective drug for blood pressure control has been around for 50 years, is off-patent, is about $10 per month; it is called hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Even HCTZ causes problems that include elevated cholesterol, insulin resistance, loss of potassium and magnesium, and an increased risk for gout.