Pharmaceutical policies favoring appropriate prescribing must be based on solid evidence on drug effectiveness and safety, better if shared with relevant stakeholders [1]. To translate this knowledge into practice further steps are generally needed, like setting specific indicators and goals [2] and associating economic incentives [3]. In keeping with these general principles, in 2011 Health Authorities of Emilia-Romagna (ER), a Region in Northern Italy, appointed a multidisciplinary panel to review and discuss evidence on inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system (ACE inhibitors and sartans), widely used drugs with similar indications in cardiovascular medicine, nephrology and diabetes.
