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TV program critical of statins led to drug discontinuation, decrease in prescriptions
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A popular Australian television program questioning the link between cholesterol and heart disease influenced a significant number of viewers taking statins to either reduce or discontinue use of the drug, according to research in Medical Journal of Australia.
In a review of Australian pharmaceutical records for 5 years, researchers found an “immediate impact” in the number of statin prescriptions dispensed after the airing of a two-part series critical of statin use by ABC-TV.
The science program, Catalyst, suggested that the heart benefits of statins had been exaggerated and called into question the link between cholesterol and heart disease.
“In the 8 months following the Catalyst broadcast, an estimated 60,897 fewer people had statins dispensed than expected,” the researchers wrote. “If patients continue to avoid statins over the next 5 years, this could result in between 1,522 and 2,900 preventable, and potentially fatal, heart attacks and strokes.”
Statins are the most commonly prescribed drug in Australia, with more than 30% of adults older than 50 years using them.
Andrea L. Schaffer
Andrea L. Schaffer, a PhD student from the University of Sydney, and colleagues analyzed data from 191,833 adults (mean age, 72 years; 55% women) prescribed a statin between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2014, using data from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), a program that provides subsidized prescription drugs to Australia residents. There was a mean of 26,946 statins dispensed weekly. Within the cohort, 36% were prescribed a statin and three cardiac medications; 27% were prescribed a statin and diabetes medications; 25% were prescribed a statin and one to two other cardiac medications; and 13% were prescribed only statins.
Researchers used an interrupted time-series analysis to assess the effect of the television program on both the dispensing and discontinuation of statins. Researchers used proton pump inhibitor prescriptions as a comparator, in part because these agents are used by a similar population.
The week the Catalyst program aired, researchers found a sustained change of 2.6% (P < .001) fewer statin prescriptions dispensed per week.
“Given that there are an average of 538,640 statin dispensings per week in Australia, this corresponds to an estimated decrease of 14,005 dispensings per week in the Australian population,” the researchers wrote. “Assuming that most [statin] users are dispensed statins once a month, the equivalent of 60,897 Australians would be affected.”
Researchers also found a significant reduction in the rate of stain prescription dispensed in all risk categories, with 6% fewer statins dispensed to patients taking only statins, and a 1.9% reduction among those taking both statins and diabetes medications.
The week the Catalyst program aired, researchers found a 28.8% increase in people discontinuing their use of statins (P < .001). Levels returned to average after 18 weeks.
Researchers found no significant change in proton pump inhibitor prescriptions dispensed or a change in discontinuation after the Catalyst program airing.
Sallie-Anne Pearson
“What is particularly concerning is that this drop in statin use was seen in people who were at high risk of cardiovascular disease — for example, those who were also taking medications for diabetes,” Sallie-Anne Pearson, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, said in a press release. “Heart attacks and strokes are the main killers of people with diabetes. Statins are recommended for people at high risk of cardiovascular disease because they have been shown to be effective. However, like all medications, they have risks and benefits and should only be used as recommended.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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