New Data Show High Frequency of Medical Claims for Gastrointestinal Events by Patients on Antiplatel...( Review of Insurance Claims Tracke...),Health

Review of Insurance Claims Tracked Ulcers and Bleeding Among 368,000

Patients Prescribed Clopidogrel

TORONTO, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A review of medical claims from more than 70 managed care plans showed that 6.2 percent of patients prescribed the antiplatelet medicine clopidogrel submitted at least one insurance claim for ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, according to data released by Cogentus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. here today at the annual meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research.

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Clopidogrel, marketed as Plavix(R), is among the world's largest-selling prescription medicines and is prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The retrospective study reported today tracked insurance claims for gastrointestinal adverse events among more than 368,000 patients in the 12 months following their first prescription for clopidogrel.

"This study provides important new information about the frequency of medical attention for gastrointestinal events required by an insured population on antiplatelet therapy," said lead author Dr. Pablo Lapuerta, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Clinical Strategy at Cogentus.

"Inhibition of normal platelet function by clopidogrel likely contributed to gastrointestinal complications, particularly in such a real-world setting in which patients often have multiple risk factors," he said. "While it is important for patients to stay on clopidogrel to prevent the progression of coronary heart disease, ulcers and bleeding can result in patients not taking their heart disease medicine."

Experts believe that multiple factors contribute to ulcer disease and its complications. Studies have shown an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding among patients using antiplatel
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