WellPoint Health Networks Inc. says it will not reimburse people for use of Crestor, a statin drug by AstraZeneca due to safety concerns.
“There is a level of nervousness, and we’re being conservative and we’re being cautious” said Dr. Robert Seidman, chief pharmacy officer for WellPoint “We’ve already been Baycolled”.
During clinical trials rhabdomyolisis turned up in patients receiving the 80 milligram pills of Crestor. Astrazeneca originally sought FDA approval for pills up to 80 milligrams and later voluntarily withdrew and resubmitted its application for pills up to 40 milligrams. The FDA approved the 40-milligram pills however warned against 40-milligram pills as the starting dosage.
In September 2003 Public Citizen announced it would issue a “Do Not Use!” warning about Crestor after warning that the Cholesterol Drug is Potentially More Dangerous Than Baycol.
“It was irresponsible of the FDA to approve this drug without requiring routine urine testing for protein and blood to monitor for the early signs of kidney damage, ” said Sidney Wolfe, M.D., director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group.
(via Delaware Online)
{ 2 comments }
My drug insurer, Merck, will cover Crestor but it is not on their formulary and so costs more. Lipitor is on the formulary.
I want more info on comments on the
drug Crestor.
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