UPDATE 1-Swiss approve Novartis blood pressure drug

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ZURICH Oct 29 (Reuters) - Swiss authorities have approved Novartis AG's (NOVN.VX) Rasilez HCT, a single pill combination of two high blood pressure medicines, the drugmaker said.

Novartis said on Wednesday it expected a European Commission decision on the treatment -- which combines its Rasilez drug, known as Tekturna in the United States, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide -- in early 2009.

High blood pressure is estimated to affect nearly one in four adults worldwide, Novartis said.

While it is easy to measure and can be successfully managed, nearly 65 percent of patients with high blood pressure do not have the condition under control. (Reporting by Sam Cage, editing by Will Waterman)