The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) announced a “New Evidence Update” to its 2015 review of PCSK9 inhibitors for high cholesterol.
In the updated information, ICER also delves into evidence pulled from the FOURIER evolocumab trial. According to a press release issued by ICER, “results showed that evolocumab combined with statins is effective in reduing the incidence of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke … .”
The report, however, found no significant cut in cardiovascular mortality.
ICER, according to the release, plans to release updated economics for annual PCSK9 inhibitor treatment costs in months to come. Originally, ICER put the annual treatment cost between $5,404 – $7,735.
“At the time of our initial report on PCSK9 inhibitors, the ability of these drugs to dramatically lower cholesterol levels was obvious,” ICER President Dr. Steven Pearson said. “What remained unknown, and what was obviously of greatest importance to patients and clinicians, was the extent to which the lower cholesterol levels would ultimately help prevent strokes, heart attacks, and premature death.”
