ENHANCE study to affect utilization, not coverage, of cholesterol-lowering drugs
A survey of pharmacists and physicians at managed care companies finds that they believe Vytorin use will drop but coverage will remain the same.
Coverage of Vytorin and Zetia (ezetimibe, Merck/Schering-Plough) is not expected to change but utilization will drop, following the Cognet-X Inc. The ENHANCE study found that Vytorin, a combination of simvastatin and Zetia, is not statistically better than simvastatin alone at reducing arterial plaque buildup. Two thirds of respondents said their coverage of the drugs will probably remain as is until full ENHANCE results are released. Meanwhile, they have controls, such as prior authorization and step therapy, in place to ensure appropriate use of these drugs.
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