A panel of experts, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd and Schering-Plough Ltd and
made up of cardiologists, lipidologists, general practitioners and nurses with a special interest in coronary heart disease and lipid management, met recently to debate whether individuals with hyperlipidaemia are being treated to effective levels and, if not, how current and future treatment options could be better employed to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Most recently published data show that up to 50% of patients with raised cholesterol are not receiving lipid-lowering therapy, and that of those who are being treated, around 50% are not achieving guideline targets.
This under-treated sector of the population – described as the ‘Forgotten 50’ in a recent report sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd and Schering-Plough Ltd – may be at significant risk of suffering preventable cardiovascular events, excess morbidity and premature mortality.
