Heart attacks and Strokes can be prevent by using Crestor

AstraZeneca executives are rejoicing today after it was announced that a panel set up by the US drug watchdog the FDA recommended that their cholesterol reducing drug Crestor should be used as a preventative medicines to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in healthy people.

Crestor has already proved a huge seller for the pharmaceutical firm but now the market for the drug has opened up hugely, with a potential 6.5 patients who previously were not considered in need of a cholesterol reducing drug now eligible to take the medication.

Crestor has been shown to reduce the chance of mortality from heart disease and stroke in otherwise healthy patients in the large Jupiter trials. AstraZeneca asked to expand their market after the trials indicated that the statin cholesterol treatment reduced the chances of someone with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke but normal cholesterol experiencing heart problems by 44%.

It also indicated that patients with elevated levels of the protein C – reactive protein but normal cholesterol levels significantly benefited from taking the drug.

The FDA then convened a panel of 16 advisors to consider whether the drugs watchdog should recommend its use in patients with acceptable cholesterol levels.

The panel voted yes, with 12 experts for the motion and 4 against, while one person abstained. The motion was therefore carried that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risk.

They advise that the drug carries a new label stating that Crestor should be given to men over 50 or women over 60 who have LDL cholesterol levels of less than 130 mg/l if the patient has an elevated blood level of C-reactive protein, which can indicate inflammation.

While the FDA does not have to follow the panel’s recommendations, in general they do do so. They are expected to deliver a final decision about Crestor early next year. If they uphold the findings of the panel, AstraXeneca will get the go-ahead to market the drug to over 6.5 potential new patients.

Some analysts have predicted that by 2013, sales of the cholesterol treatment will double, but others have warned that as it is the most expensive statin on the market, it will face fierce competition when the patent on a number of rival brands runs out.

Pfizer’s Lipitor, the best-selling drug in the world, loses its patent in 2013, which will mean a slew of generic statins hitting the market. Generics are significantly cheaper than branded medications, and it is is proven that other statins have similar results to Crestor, consumers will have no reason not to go for the cheaper version.

However it is still extremely good news for AstraZeneca. Their chief medical officer said in a statement, “AstraZeneca welcomes the Advisory Committee’s positive vote.

“Todays discussions will help guide our ongoing dialogue with the FDA regarding our request for an indication that supports the use for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with an increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular events.”