Study Shows Poor Adherence of Statins as Cholesterol Lowering Treatment

Approximately half of US patients prescribed statins as a cholesterol lowering therapy discontinue use within the first year and adherence continues to decrease as time goes on, according to a study by Prime Therapeutics LLC.

Prime studied 3 million commercially-insured adult members who were continuously enrolled for four years through 2014 and identified those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Of the 1.8 percent with ASCVD, only 20 percent were adherent to high intensity statin therapy and 27 percent had no statin claim in 2014. Of those without a statin claim or non adherent, only 1 in 4 members tried a second statin, when the updated guidelines recommended a second trial.

Prime's study will be presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Nexus event in Orlando, FL, this week.