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FDA Approves Cholesterol-Lowering Drug to Reduce Stroke Risk September 2005 (Newstream) -- Cardiovascular disease - including heart attack and stroke - is America's number one health threat, according to The American Heart Association.(1A) On September 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a popular cholesterol-lowering drug to reduce the risk of stroke. The FDA says that Lipitor - the leading prescription cholesterol-lowering medicine - can also be used to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes without evident heart disease but with other risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure. The FDA's decision was based on a landmark trial of more than 2,800 patients with type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for stroke.(2A) Patients who took Lipitor experienced nearly 50 percent fewer strokes than those taking placebo.(2B) One person suffers a stroke every 45 seconds in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.1B Some risk factors for stroke include: diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, increasing age, gender, obesity, lack of exercise, tobacco use and excessive alcohol.(3) Lipitor is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people without evident heart disease but with multiple risk factors for heart disease such as family history, high blood pressure or being age 55 or older.(4) Produced for Pfizer
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Electronic Medical Records Key to Slashing Rising Healthcare Costs September 2005 (Newstream) -- The New England Journal of Medicine says the prices of prescription drugs have risen an average of 17 percent a year over the last few years. It's clear America's medical expenses are climbing and patients are footing the bill. But a new study offers detailed, solid proof electronic medical records are a major solution to help cut spending, waste and medical errors. The landmark study by non-profit RAND Corporation says electronic medical records could save Americans billions of dollars in just one year. The study shows that if 90 percent of America's healthcare facilities converted to electronic medical records, the savings would equal $162 billion in just one year. The numbers break down as about $77 billion for savings with efficiency, $4.5 billion for savings through improved safety and between $40 to $80 billion from short and longer term prevention activities. The study also shows efficiency savings from fewer tests, faster care and shorter hospital stays. Preventive medicine of chronic conditions is a big piece of the savings pie. And increased safety comes from the allergy and drug interaction warnings built into the software. The top three benefits of an electronic medical record are the immediate access to patient results for testing, the ability to access that information from anywhere securely and the continuity of the information that exists in that patient record. If electronic medical records become part of the next generation of healthcare, so will a safer, more cost-efficient system. For more information on healthcare information technology and the Rand study, go towww.cerner.com and www.rand.org. Produced for Cerner
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