The Diovan Reduction of Proteinuria (DROP) study further examined the efficacy of valsartan in reducing UAE in 391 hypertensive patients (BP=150/ 88 mmHg) with type 2 diabetes, albuminuria (mean=102 µg/ min; 20-700 µg/ min) and preserved renal function (mean serum creatinine = 80 µmol/ l).