Research Story, Media Release

Study reveals cholesterol drugs imbalance

Thousands of Australian men who come from low socio-economic backgrounds may be missing out on potentially life-saving drugs that lower cholesterol because of their economic status, according to new research at the University of Adelaide.

A major study by the University's Department of General Practice and the Department of Public Health looked at all prescriptions of cholesterol-lowering drugs (known as "statins") over an eight-month period in 2002.

In total there were 9.1 million prescriptions of statins to Australians at a cost of $570 million.

The results of the study, being published in this week's Medical Journal of Australia, show discrepancies between different socio- economic groups and also between the sexes.

Study leader Dr Nigel Stocks from the Department of General Practice says the research found that:

• Australian men are more likely to receive prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs if they are wealthy and well educated;
• Australian women in general receive more cholesterol-lowering drugs than men, despite being at lower risk of heart disease;
• Men from low socio-economic backgrounds were not receiving the same level of drug treatment, despite a need for it.

Dr Stocks says the results are the first of their kind in Australia, and raise further questions about access to potentially life-saving drugs and their cost to the health system.

"This study has been very important in showing us what the patterns are - now we need to find the reasons why and try to do something about them," Dr Stocks says.

"Are statins being over-prescribed to well-educated and wealthy men who perhaps don't need them, which means potential cost savings for the Government? Are they being under-prescribed to disadvantaged groups, such as Indigenous Australians, which could mean a potential extra cost for the Government of around $100 million a year?

"Because statins cost the Australian Government more than $800 million each year, and represent about 15% of the total Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the answers to these questions will be vitally important for Australia."