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Pharmacoeconomics of lipid-lowering drugs

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Abstract

The widespread use and high cost of lipid-lowing drugs have resulted in numerous investigations of their cost effectiveness. Pharmacoeconomic analyses have considered initiation of treatment, maintenance therapy, and long-term outcomes of lipid-lowering therapy. Analyses have yielded a number of consistent messages, but the story continues to evolve as new trials, models, and drugs are introduced. Certain medications are more efficacious and associated with more cost-effective lipid-lowering therapy initiation. Other medications are lower priced and may be more cost effective for maintenance, contingent upon having achieved lipid-lowering goals. Finally, some medications have proven long-term cost effectiveness in trials and comparative cost effectiveness in models. Research is certain to further our understanding of the costs of lipid-lowering therapy and the methods needed to optimize expenditures.

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  1. Department of Health Management & Policy, University of Michigan, 109 Observatory, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Dean G. Smith PhD

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Smith, D.G. Pharmacoeconomics of lipid-lowering drugs. Curr Atheroscler Rep 5, 67–72 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-003-0070-6

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