CER With Statins Recognizes Improved Adherence with Generic Products

lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the result of a collaboration between CVS Caremark and scientists at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, compared patient adherence to brand name versus generic statins. Branded statins included in the study were . The researchers accessed medical claims and pharmacy data of Medicare patients with presception benefits during the years 2006 to 2008.

The objective was to evaluate the difference in adherence, if any, between generic versus branded products. Consequently, the study looked at whether greater adherence improved clinical outcomes.

Of the 90,111 patients who were identified that had initiated a statin during the period of study, 83,731 (93%) initiated a generic drug, and 6380 (7%) initiated a brand-name drug. The average adherence was 77% for patients in the generic group and 71% for those in the brand-name group (P < 0.001). An 8% reduction in the rate of the clinical outcome was observed among patients in the generic group versus those in the brand-name group (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.86 to 0.99]).

Considering the difference in cost between the generic and the branded products, improved adherence to the generic products is not surprising.

Link to the publication page: http://bit.ly/YPbhqW