A modified release pharmaceutical composition comprises lercanidipine dissolved in a waxy substance comprising a polyalcohol fatty acid ester, the solution being contained within a pharmaceutically acceptable capsule. Preferably the polyalcohol fatty acid ester is a polyethylene glycol ester, a polypropylene glycol ester, a fatty acid glyceride or a mixture of two or more thereof. Most preferably, the polyalcohol fatty acid ester is a mixture of mono-, di- and triglycerides and polyethylene glycol mono- and diesters. Oral administration of the modified release pharmaceutical compositions to a patient has been shown to result in a mean lercanidipine plasma concentration of greater than 0.5 ng/ml for 24 hours after administration.