Statins in France:Facts about drug consumption

Guy-André Pelouze MD, MSc

CHD and stroke in France

Statin consumption and cost

FAQ

1. How a country where CHD & Stroke are the less prevalent in EOCD could consumpt so much statins?

2. Is it efficient?3. If so what are the difference between sex,

ethnic groups and geographic locations?4. What is the cost of one life saved in a low

prevalence of disease5. Is this consumption crowding out statin

prescription and use in symptomatic patients?6. What is the cost of statins side effects in this

population?

Answer(s)

1. At the present time no study of the french population can answer these questions

2. There is no open data available from the french single third payer on the subject

Can we compute CHD rates previous and after statin era?

Evolution of CHD rates before and after statin therapy (OECD)

Results of statins in France: Cardiovascular heaven or illusion?

1. French people consume a lot of saturated fats

2. they have a rather low rate of obesity even if the increase is significant in the recent decennals (3%, 6%, 9%)

3. Is the present very low prevalence of CV diseases in France the result of long term hypolipemic drug consumption?

4. Is it on the contrary the result of other factors badly identified as the french paradox?

Thank you for your attention