The case for over-the-counter statins
2004; Elsevier BV; Volume: 94; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.05.058
ISSN1879-1913
Autores Tópico(s)Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
ResumoIn May 2004, the British government announced that it was moving forward in developing a program to provide over-the-counter (OTC) access to a small dose of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor simvastatin. 1 Merck heart drug set to go over counter in Britain. Reuters News Service, May 10, 2004. Google Scholar This major initiative would be 1 of the first to move a prescription drug intended for disease prevention than for symptom control to OTC status and has met with arguments in favor and against such a conversion. 2 Raithatha N. Smith R.D. Paying for statins. BMJ. 2004; 328: 400-402 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar , 3 Marshall T.P.Why statins? Rapid response.2004 www.BMJ.comAccessed March 31, 2004. Google Scholar The British maneuver has created a significant level of discussion about whether OTC statins would be appropriate in the American population. If so, a number of questions must be answered first: Who should qualify for such therapy? Would it be of benefit? Is it safe? Addressing these questions may illuminate the place of small-dose OTC statins in the United States.
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