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As Britain comes closer to offering sales of a top-selling cholesterol
drug over the counter, the United States follows close behind as
the next market to offer the same option. Cholesterol-fighting drugs,
which are taken by millions, are ranked as the most widely prescribed
and most profitable drugs in the world.
According to research, cholesterol drugs, or statins have pulled
in $26 billion worldwide, with $14 billion of that amount in the
United States alone. Zocor is expected to be the first over-the-counter
cholesterol-fighting drug to be sold in Britain. Researchers have
noticed more receptiveness and an increasing open mind by the FDA
to offering prescription-only drugs over the counter.
This could be seen through the actions taken by the FDA when they
requested $1 million for their budget for over-the-counter drugs
and stated they were an effective alternative to paying for high-cost
prescription medications.
For now, the pharmaceutical companies have limited their market
to selling Mevachor in the United States.
Even though doctors have stated the drugs were safe to take, the
majority of the 18 million who fell into the moderate risk bracket,
which has been defined as having a 10 percent to 20 percent risk
of developing such problems, do not take medication. This is the
market the pharmaceutical companies have planned to target for the
non-prescription drugs.
Concerns Over The Monitoring of Over-The-Counter
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs:
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Some experts expressed concerns that people who take the over-the-counter
drugs wouldn’t visit their doctors on a regular basis to
have their risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking,
diabetes, diet, exercise level and weight, assessed.
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Experts also claimed that people might believe that taking
a statin is all that is needed to control their risks and would
not take into mind other possible risk factors that needed to
be addressed.
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Other experts stressed that although the drugs might help save
some lives, the importance of lifestyle changes need to be taken
into serious consideration.
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Certain patient groups have criticized the move to over-the-counter
drugs because of the possible dangers posed by people attempting
to diagnose themselves.
Past Problems With Statins:
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A statin called Baycol was removed from the market in 2001
after it was found to be linked to deaths due to muscle toxicity.
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A consumer group petitioned to have Crestor, a statin made
by Astra Zeneca, banned due to worries about slightly raised
liver enzymes related to taking the drugs.
Associated
Press May 13, 2004
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