Phase III Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Fermagate and Sevelamer Hydrochloride

High levels of phosphate in the blood are linked with serious effects, due to calcium imbalances (high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone disease, formation of calcium deposites in the body and blood-vessel disease. Current guidelines indicate that blood phosphorous levels should be maintained between 1.13 to 1.78mmol/L in patients who receive haemodialysis. The purpose of this study is to establish the non-inferiority of magnesium iron hydroxycarbonate to sevelamer hydrochloride in lowering serum phosphate in haemodialysis patients treated for 3 months. Additional objectives: (1) to determine the safety of magnesium iron hydroxycarbonate after short term (3 months) and long term (6 and 12 months) treatment, (2)to determine the efficacy of magnesium iron hydroxycarbonate after long term treatment (6 and 12 months) and (3) To compare the effects of magnesium iron hydroxycarbonate and sevelamer hydrochloride on measures of mineral metabolism, albumin, pre-albumin and iron status after short term (3 months) and long term (6 and 12 months) treatment.