New cholesterol medication can save lives, but costs remain considerable

The FDA recently approved a cholesterol-lowering drug capable of preventing significant amounts of deaths, nonfatal MI and strokes. Unfortunately, most patients can’t afford it.

According to simulations including U.S. adults from 35 to 74 years old in 2015 and following them until death or until they turned 95, researchers estimated the new drug would prevent 4.3 million cardiovascular deaths, nonfatal MI and strokes.

PCSK9 inhibitors were approved for use in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and pre-existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. While the drug has the potential to lower health care costs by preventing expensive cardiac events, at a cost of $14,000 per patient per year, it is not a cost-effective means of treatment.  

At 2015 prices, PCSK9 inhibitor reduced overall cardiac health care costs by $29 billion. It also increased overall U.S. health care expenditures by approximately $120 billion.

Adding insult to injury is the fact that PCSK9 is a lifelong therapy that can potentially be used by a large portion of the U.S. population as the number of people suffering from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease continues to rise.

Skyrocketing prescription drug costs are a continuing trend in the United States. According to an article in the July 2016 issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, prescription drug costs increased by 11.7 percent in 2015 and are projected to increase another 11 to 13 percent by the end of 2016.

High expenditures mean that both hospitals and patient will have to be more selective in in their prescription drug choices going forward.