Comparative Effectiveness: Life vs. Death

  • by: |
  • 04/10/2007
Rule Britainia? Time to change the rule.

From today's edition of the London Daily Mail, another example of so-called "evidence-based medicine" focusing on saving costs rather than saving lives.

Cut-price statins linked to increase in patient deaths
By RHODRI PHILLIPS

10th April 2007

Health chiefs are reviewing evidence which apparently shows a link between a cut-price statin and an increased risk of death among heart patients.

The drug, simvastatin, is taken by more than a million people to combat high cholesterol. Doctors were advised in January last year to prescribe it instead of more expensive atorvastatin.

But analysis carried out at University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent shows that three times more patients on the cheaper drug died compared to those taking atorvastatin a year earlier. In the three months from December 2004 to February 2005, five out of 100 patients - or five per cent - prescribed atorvastatin died. But 20 of 121 patients - 17 per cent - on simvastatin died between December 2005 and February 2006.

Now the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reviewing the use of simvastatin.

Dr Giri Rajaratnam, Stoke-on-Trent's public health director said: "NICE are doing a full-scale review of statins, looking at the balance between safety and effectiveness and severity of illness."

Two million people in Britain take statins to lower their cholesterol and help protect against the risk of stroke or heart attack. Since simvastatin was introduced three years ago as a cheaper option, 60 per cent have made the switch.

NICE, which advises NHS trusts on the use of drugs, said a 28-day course of simvastatin given to patients in 40mg doses, costing £3.57, was the equivalent to a 28-day course of 10mg atorvastatin tablets, costing £18.03.

Last year the British Medical Journal predicted the NHS could save £2billion within five years if doctors prescribe the cheaper drug. Simvastatin can be bought over the counter, while atorvastatin is only available on prescription.

Cardiologist Dr Rob Butler, who carried out the research, said: "A decision was taken between the local primary care trusts and the local National Health Service trust to switch to generic simvastatin.

"We decided to audit the effects. We were principally looking for differences in numbers of patients needing to be readmitted following discharge. But we were surprised when we saw such a difference in the death rate."

Dr Butler, who has previously received payment from a number of drugs companies, including Pfizer - which makes atorvastatin under the brand name Lipitor - also noticed more patients returning to hospital for further treatment after using simvastatin.

Dr Rajaratnam has also ordered a review into the statin drugs following Dr Butler's research. However, simvastatin is still being used.

A joint statement issued by the hospital and Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust last week said their policy on statin use was consistent with NICE guidance.

It added: "To determine whether our policy should be amended in light of further evidence, the health economics unit at Birmingham University will consider whether any sub-groups of patients would benefit from intensification of their statin treatment.

"The North Staffordshire guideline will be reviewed in the light of its results."

The NICE advice published in January 2006 advised doctors to prescribe simvastatin as a first resort but to use their judgment if they thought another drug such as atorvastatin was more appropriate.
CMPI

Center for Medicine in the Public Interest is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization promoting innovative solutions that advance medical progress, reduce health disparities, extend life and make health care more affordable, preventive and patient-centered. CMPI also provides the public, policymakers and the media a reliable source of independent scientific analysis on issues ranging from personalized medicine, food and drug safety, health care reform and comparative effectiveness.

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