Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally,1 and there is a well established relationship between low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C or “bad cholesterol”) and coronary heart disease.2 The lowering of LDL-C with medications has taken several forms. In 1986, a new type of drug class called statins was introduced to lower levels of LDL-C when therapeutic lifestyle changes were not enough to reach treatment goals. Statins introduced an innovative medicine class that decreased the number of heart attacks and strokes significantly in clinical trials of a variety of patient populations. Since their introduction, statins have been extensively studied and were found to be cost-effective therapies for a broad range of patients.
Adapted from: Grabowski, David C., et al. (2012). The Large Social Value Resulting From Use Of Statins Warrants Steps To Improve Adherence And Broaden Treatment. Health Affairs, 31; 10 2276-2285 // Gotto AM Jr, Boccuzzi SJ, Cook JR, et al. Effect of lovastatin on cardiovascular resource utilization and costs in the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study (AFCAPS/TexCAPS). AFCAPS/TexCAPS Research Group. Am J Cardiol. 2000;86:1176-1181.
Societal Health Impact
- National survey data from the United States suggests statin therapy reduced low-density lipoprotein levels by 18.8 percent, which translated into roughly 40,000 fewer deaths, 60,000 fewer hospitalizations for heart attacks, and 22,000 fewer hospitalizations for strokes in 2008.3
- In a resource utilization analysis study comparing the cost of specific statin therapy with the cost of cardiovascular hospitalization and related procedures, the statin therapy was associated with a 27 percent reduction in cardiovascular health care costs (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft, electrocardiogram) per patient versus placebo.4
- An analysis of 18 trials, including 56,934 patients primarily without CVD, demonstrated statins conferred a relative risk reduction (RRR) in all-cause mortality by 14 percent and in stroke by 22 percent.5
- In patients with diabetes, statins have proven to reduce the risk of major coronary events and revascularization procedures (e.g., stent).6 The American Diabetes Association’s standards of care for diabetes recommend statin therapy be added to lifestyle therapy, regardless of baseline lipid levels, for select patients with diabetes.7
Adapted from: Grabowski, David C., et al. (2012). The Large Social Value Resulting From Use Of Statins Warrants Steps To Improve Adherence And Broaden Treatment. Health Affairs, 31; 10 2276-2285
Societal Health Impact (continued)
- A meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of statins in the primary prevention of the first-time occurrence of a major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event in 10,187 diabetic patients, found statin treatment was associated with a significant 25 percent RRR in the first-time occurrence of these events, a 31 percent RRR in fatal or nonfatal stroke, and 30 percent RRR in fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack).8
- In a study of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), statin therapy reduced the relative risk of mortality by 50% in those > 80 years old, 44% in those 65 to 79 years old, and 30% in those < 65 years old, compared to CAD patients in the same age group not taking statin therapy.9
- In China, universal treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia patients with lipid and blood pressure lowering therapies could avert between 10 and 20 million acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs), between 8 and 30 million strokes, and between 3 and 10 million CVD deaths during the 2016–2030 period, producing a positive social value net of health care costs as high as $932 billion.10
Economic Impact
Statins have demonstrated reduced CV events in a wide range of patients. While the cost savings of statins has not been extensively studied, some studies have estimated the economic benefit these agents have conferred. Some of those findings include:
- From 1987–2008, the estimated aggregate social value of statins was estimated to be $1.252 trillion, with the consumer surplus11 associated with statins estimated at $947.4 billion.3
- Another study estimates the potential social value of specific statin therapy (1987–2018) at €0.7–1.6 billion, with 94 percent of that being consumer value.3, 12
- One study estimates that statin use avoided heart attack hospitalization costs of $4.4 billion and stroke hospitalization costs of $440 million, in 2008.3
Statin Treatment Expansion
Research suggests that the expanded use of statins could offer additional life-saving health benefits. A recent ten year study completed in 2014 by Kaiser Permanente found that continuing statin therapy helped increase the survival rate of patients who had a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).13 The study showed that patients already on statin therapy who had stayed on the medication while in the hospital were three times more likely to survive than those patients whose statin therapy was stopped. Additionally, patients not on a statin but who started the therapy post-hemorrhagic stroke were two times more likely to survive than those with no medication.
A widely accepted treatment guideline for statin therapy was initially set at starting treatment for patients when they have a 20 percent risk for CVD. In 2014, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reported that lowering the preventative treatment guideline for CVD from a 20 percent risk to a 10 percent risk threshold could prevent 28,000 heart attacks, 16,000 strokes, and 8,000 lives each year.14
A New Class of Cholesterol Lowering Medications: PCSK9 Inhibitors
An unmet medical need existed as some patient populations were not reaching cholesterol lowering treatment goals with statins alone. Therefore, a new class of medications was developed. PCSK9 (Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors have been shown to further decrease LDL-C by 50–70% when administered as monotherapy or in combination therapy with statins.15 This new class of medications is a great example of drug development in which the discovery of gene mutations and their clinical effects on lowering cholesterol has ushered in another treatment option for patients. These medications are described as an antibody that targets the PCSK9 protein and works by reducing the number of receptors on the liver that remove LDL cholesterol from the blood. By blocking PCSK9’s ability to work, more receptors are available to get rid of LDL cholesterol from the blood and, as a result, lower LDL cholesterol levels.16 In 2015, the FDA approved two different PCSK9 medications for use in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and for patients with CVD that require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.
Healthcare Commitment to Continued Innovation
The overall societal value of the current and expanded use of cholesterol lowering medications is quite profound and confers a dramatic health and life-saving benefit. Whether with statin therapy or PCSK9 inhibitor treatment, cholesterol lowering therapy will continue to evolve. Various healthcare sectors are committed to continue research to expand current therapies and develop new medications for the treatment of CVD for the benefit of patients worldwide.
Patient Impact
Matt was 48 when he suffered a massive heart attack a few years ago. He had 100 percent blockage in his right coronary artery. Since the heart attack, his cardiologist put him on numerous medications, including a statin, to normalize his cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent his blood from clotting, and keep his blood pressure low. Below, he describes his treatment.
“These medications have allowed me to keep up the same pace as I had before the heart attack. In fact I would say that I am doing more now than before the heart attack. I feel confident in the medications that have been prescribed by my cardiologist. Part of that confidence is based on the vast amount of data and years of research that supports their effectiveness and overall safety. Other than the minor inconvenience of having to take these medicines every day, there haven’t been any drawbacks. Considering the alternative, I take them willingly, and with a smile.” — Matt Woods
Endnotes
Issued by Global Policy and International Public Affairs
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