Navigation Links
Consumers Union Opposes Over-the-Counter Cholesterol Drug
Date:12/11/2007

ing the risks of side effects.

(4) Statins are potent drugs that carry the risk of minor and serious side effects. It is unclear whether their benefits would outweigh their risks for some populations of people who might be induced to obtain an OTC statin.

(5) An OTC version of Mevacor is unlikely to yield significant savings to consumers over prescription generic lovastatin, which is generally available for under $30 and is a $4 drug at Wal-Mart and Target.

"There is simply too much potential for inappropriate, wasteful, or excessive use of OTC Mevacor without proper and useful medical supervision," Findlay said.

In its letter to the FDA, Consumers Union points out that one in 10 adults over age 20, and one in four over age 65, currently take a cholesterol-lowering statin - about 20 million people. That number could grow to between 25 and 30 million by 2010 as more prescriptions are being written for people whose primary diagnosis is not high cholesterol or heart disease but conditions (such as diabetes and kidney disease) that put them at risk for heart disease. In some cases, such patients don't even have high cholesterol.

The letter also cites a recent study suggesting that some doctors may have grown complacent about the adverse effects of statins. A study published in the August 2007 journal of Drug Safety found that 47 percent of doctors dismissed patients' complaints of muscle weakness and pain as being associated with their statin use, even though those symptoms are well-documented side effects of statins.

The Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug free, consumer-friendly report on statins' effectiveness, safety and affordability is available at http://www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org.


'/>"/>
SOURCE Consumers Union
Copyright©2007 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related medicine news :

1. Consumers Offer to Pay More to Satisfy Health Demands
2. CIGNA Group Insurance Shows Consumers Theres More to Life Through a New Consumer Education Toolkit
3. Naked Juice Brings Consumers Happiness by the Billions With First 100% Juice Smoothie Containing Probiotics
4. Hospitals Agree to Pay Fees in Exchange for More Income, but Consumers in the Dark About What Theyll be Charged Under Nunez Plan
5. PA Agriculture Department Warns Consumers of Tainted Raw Milk Sold by Perry County Dairy
6. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Introduces New Health Plan Comparison Tool for Consumers
7. Highmark Blue Shield Introduces New Health Plan Comparison Tool for Consumers
8. PA Department of Public Welfare Begins Outreach to Medical Assistance Consumers Following Burglary at State Office Building
9. Verdict One Releases Directory of Board Certified Attorneys for Consumers
10. Class Settlement Could Result in Considerable Savings for Certain Consumers of Prescription Pharmaceuticals
11. Dole Invites Consumers to Show Their Wild Side!
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/25/2013)... 25, 2013 According to an article in ... a Feeling,” nearly 30 million Americans tan indoors each year ... despite knowing the health risks. New research suggests ... addictive effect on the brains of some tanners (Go to ... article so I can’t say that I fully support this ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) May 25, 2013 ... whitening service page in partnership with JD Media Surge, ... whitening methods are now available and, depending on the ... home. During a routine visit, the best method will ... whitening is performed during a visit. A special peroxide-based ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... (HealthDay News) -- Many viruses and parasites that affect ... -- a bacteria-borne illness than can result in liver ... parks, according to a veterinarian. These germs ... the air, said Dr. Susan Nelson, a clinical associate ... of these serious diseases can be fatal, even with ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... St Louis, MO (PRWEB) May 25, 2013 ... goal for the Diet Doc team of weight management professionals. ... weight fast and effectively, Diet Doc’s hCG diets ... uncontrollable factors like abuse during childhood like bullying, more control ... not directly capable of dealing with the underlying factors of ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... 25, 2013 By working diligently for ... the integration of the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador into their ... latest entrant in the list of vehicles lined by ... is all set to thrill automobile lovers in the ... and spectacular looks, the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador comes with ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Sun Damage – Are UV Rays Addictive? 2Health News:Chandler Dentist Launches Teeth Whitening Service Page on Website in Partnership with JD Media Surge, LLC 2Health News:Hidden Dangers Dog Dog Parks 2Health News:hCGTreatments / Diet Doc hCG Diets & Weight Loss Plans Announces hCG Diet Plans for Those Suffering from Abuse-Related Weight Gain 2Health News:hCGTreatments / Diet Doc hCG Diets & Weight Loss Plans Announces hCG Diet Plans for Those Suffering from Abuse-Related Weight Gain 3Health News:Rim Fitments Provider SizeItUp Launches The Database Integration For The 2012 Lamborghini Aventador 2
... of Archives of Surgery,Individuals with diabetes appear to spend ... more ventilator support and have more complications during hospitalization ... million Americans have diabetes, with one-third remaining undiagnosed, according ... complications more frequently and do worse after an acute ...
... of Chikungunya, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) ... 'politically correct' low-cost health cover plan . ... dumped its BPL (below poverty line) health cover pact ... public sector insurance partner. ,When asked about the delay ...
... or removal of the tonsils, none reported an ongoing ... . ,Together with the sense of smell ... taste contributes considerably to flavor perception during eating and ... enjoyment of foods and beverages, according to background information ...
... player Ben Czislowski was in for a shock when it was ... a rival's tooth dangerously embedded in his forehead . ... had the tooth removed last week by a doctor who made ... Matt Austin, who broke his jaw in a nasty head clash ...
... review of studies,School-based sexual abuse prevention programs can teach ... behaviors. ,However, the programs have a downside: ... strangers, the review cautions. ,,It was a concern ... the review, but we were pleased that there was ...
... recent study in JAMA reports that the risk of ... who adopted a diet very high in vegetables, fruit and ... compared to women who followed a diet of five or ... diet). ,'Considerable evidence from preclinical studies indicates that plant-derived ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:Diabetes may Lead to More Complications 2Health News:Kerala Government Battles With Chikungunya On All Counts 2Health News:Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy Shows No Change of Taste 2Health News:Lost And Found -Tooth In A Sportsman's Head 2Health News:School-based Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs 2Health News:School-based Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs 3Health News:Breast Cancer Risk is not Reduced by a Diet Rich in Fruit and Vegetables 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 3SBio Inc. (NASDAQ: ... China -based biotechnology company focused ... announced today that, at an extraordinary general meeting ... in favor of the proposal to authorize and ... merger dated February 8, 2013, among Decade Sunshine ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX ) announced today ... Executive Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences, will be presenting at the ... in Boston.   The live presentation takes place ... 8:20 a.m. Pacific Time.  The presentation will be webcast and ... . If you are unable to attend ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013 Nephros, Inc. (OTC ... medical device company that develops and sells high performance ... its rights offering.  In addition, the concurrent temporary reduction ... expired on May 17, 2013. Nephros estimates ... from the rights offering.   A portion of the proceeds ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:3SBio Inc. Announces Shareholders' Approval of the Amended Merger Agreement 23SBio Inc. Announces Shareholders' Approval of the Amended Merger Agreement 3Nephros Announces Completion of Rights Offering 2Nephros Announces Completion of Rights Offering 3Nephros Announces Completion of Rights Offering 4
... -- Winner Medical Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ... medical dressings, medical disposables and non-woven fabric made ... announced that Mr. Jianquan Li, Winner Medical,s founder, ... the Distinguished Contribution award for 2010 by the ...
... 30, 2011 Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS ... will present a company overview at Needham,s 10th Annual Healthcare ... at the New York Palace Hotel. A live ... "Investors & Media" section of the Company,s Web site, ...
Cached Medicine Technology:Winner Medical CEO Awarded and Appointed Position by CNITA 2Winner Medical CEO Awarded and Appointed Position by CNITA 3Winner Medical CEO Awarded and Appointed Position by CNITA 4
... leading provider of Telemedicine monitoring and ... outstanding service commitment to patients and ... transtelephonic testing devices that provide enhanced ... using standard telephone lines. TransMedEx's product ...
... is a leading provider of telemedicine ... with state-of-the-art technology deliver accurate, reliable ... healthcare professionals and clients in improving ... and ECG technology to gather patient ...
... CardioNet has developed a new, integrated ... allows heartbeat-by-heartbeat, ECG monitoring, analysis and ... Our service is initially focused on ... with arrhythmia. Time is of the ...
... The Solo microplate incubator is an ... incubating a single microplate up to ... incubates applications requiring higher temperatures up ... solution offering low cost and high ...
Medicine Products: