CVS Caremark Data Confirms Improved Outcomes for Women with Osteoporosis Who are Adherent ...( Non-adherent women up to six times mo...),Health

Non-adherent women up to six times more likely to experience a fracture

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Data released today by CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) indicates that 87 percent of women 18 years and older with osteoporosis, who were taking a drug therapy to treat the disease, did not experience a fracture during the two-year study period. The CVS Caremark data also found that those women with osteoporosis between the ages of 18-64 who were not on therapy were 5.7 times more likely to experience a fracture.

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According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), approximately eight million women in the U.S. have osteoporosis and an additional 27.2 million women are estimated to have low bone mass, which places them at increased risk for developing the disease. In addition, the NOF reports that one in two women with osteoporosis over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their remaining lifetime. The NOF also reports that in 2005, osteoporosis-related fractures were responsible for an estimated $19 billion in costs, which is predicted to increase to $25.3 billion by 2025.

"Osteoporosis impacts millions of women in the United States and the resulting fractures due to bone loss associated with the disease can have a significant impact on the individual's quality of life and increase overall health care costs for the patient and the payor," said Troyen Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "Our research suggests that the medications available today to treat osteoporosis are effective in combating the disease
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