Non-prescription Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Nixed By FDA Panel

[HuckleB]

Non-prescription Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Nixed By FDA Panel

http://www.healthtalk.ca/statins_otc_011705_4983.php

"Merck's request to have a non-prescription over-the-counter version of their popular cholesterol-lowering drug Mevacor approved for sale was turned down by an FDA advisory panel last week.

Merck had wanted to sell a low-dose statin based on Mevacor in a 20-milligram pill form without the need of a physician's order.

..."

[Warpy]

1. Thank goodness for the FDA

They just saved a whole lot of people trying to self medicate with a drug that has some pretty significant side effects and interaction with other prescription and nonprescription drugs.

Some of the side effects can be fatal.

There are a lot of drugs out there that really need physician monitoring. The statin family of drugs is one example. Blood pressure drugs are another. Antibiotics are another.

Insurance companies are behind the push to get prescription drugs over the counter. That way, they no longer have to pay for them. It's also a way to boost sagging sales of older drugs that have simply become unfashionable. In most cases, this a good idea. In some cases, it's the worst thing they could possibly do.

I'm glad the FDA is still capable of standing up to drug coroporations some of the time.

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate topic

Several days old

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1151768