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Excerpts from
The Wellmark Report:
About Cholesterol Drugs

Source: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

“Types of Cholesterol Drugs”

“There are several different types of drugs to treat high cholesterol. Statins are by far the most popular type of cholesterol lowering drug. Other types include bile acid resins, nicotinic acid (niacin), and fibrates.

“Statins prevent the body from making cholesterol. Statins are considered to be the first treatment for people with high cholesterol if making lifestyle changes doesn't cause cholesterol levels to decrease. Statins have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels 25 to 40 percent.”

“Cholesterol Drug Growth”

“Cholesterol drugs have experienced double digit growth over the last five years. Much of that growth can be attributed to the increased usage of statins.

“The first statin was introduced by Merck in September 1987. The drug was called Mevacor, which is now available as lovastatin in a generic form. Promotional efforts were targeted to physicians.

“The second statin on the market was Pravachol, which became available in November of 1991. Pravachol was priced 5 to 10 percent less than Mevacor. Zocor, which is now the second best selling drug in the United States, started being sold in January of 1992. Within five years, Smith-Kline Beecham was spending nearly $265 million to promote Zocor. Nearly two-thirds of those promotion dollars were for samples.

“Statin number four started being sold in April 1994 by the name of Lescol. It wasn't until February of 1997 that Lipitor became available. In just two years, Lipitor had gained a 30 percent market share, largely because of heavy physician promotions and samples.

“In 2000, for example, sampling accounted for nearly $175 million of the $285 million that was spent on promotion Lipitor. Direct-to-consumer advertising accounted for only $60 million.

“A sixth statin, Baycol, started being sold in December 1997. Baycol was taken off of the market, however, in August of 2001 after there were reports that 31 patients died from severe muscle weakness from taking the drug. Crestor, another stain, is awaiting FDA approval.

“There are currently no over-the-counter drugs for reducing cholesterol.”

However, between Nature’s Sunshine and Pure Herbs, we are able to offer you Cholester-Reg II plus more than 30 other products [not over-the-counter “drugs”] that have been shown to be effective in helping the body control serum cholesterol levels.

Any information on this website that refers to herbal products or other food supplements is the about historical observations of herbs, their properties, and uses. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice by licensed physicians, and has not been submitted for review by either the Food and Drug Administration or the American Medical Association. Supplements are food, not medicine, and neither our information nor our products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and no guarantee of results or suitability is either expressed or implied.