The FDA Approval Of Merck's Cholesterol Lowerer, Liptruzet, Doesn't Help Its Credibility

Given this history, what was the FDA thinking in approving another Zetia/statin combination? It is not as if a drug like Liptruzet is desperately needed. After all, there are plenty of statins available that have shown their ability to reduce CV events in long term studies. Furthermore, each component of Liptruzet is already available to physicians and so can be prescribed to be used together, should a physician deem this necessary. Shouldn’t the FDA have waited for the results of Merck’s IMPROVE-IT study before unleashing another such combination? Think of the embarrassment for the FDA should IMPROVE-IT show that these combination drugs are no more effective that statins alone. In all likelihood, the FDA would request the removal of both Vytorin and Liptruzet in such a scenario.
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news