Schumer Reveals: Thousands Of Upstate New Yorkers Misled By Pharmaceutical Companies - Paying Exorbitant Prices For The Popular Cholesterol Drug Vytorin

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Schumer Reveals: Thousands Of Upstate New Yorkers Misled By Pharmaceutical Companies - Paying Exorbitant Prices For The Popular Cholesterol Drug Vytorin

Pharmaceutical Companies are under Investigation for Potentially Deceptive Advertising of the Popular Cholesterol Drug

At Local Drug Stores across Upstate NY, Thousands of New Yorkers Paid on Average Twice as Much for Vytorin than Similar Generic Drugs and According to a Recent Study Experienced No Added Benefit

With NYS Medicaid Spending Over $20 Million on Vytorin, Schumer to Call for Companies to Refund Upstate New Yorkers For Inflated Prices

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released a stunning new report detailing how in 2007 over one million prescriptions for the popular cholesterol-busting drug Vytorin were filled for New Yorkers, despite research showing that a low-cost generic might provide similar benefits. Merck and Schering-Plough, which jointly market Vytorin, are now under investigation for misleading consumers about the benefits of the drug. Vytorin is a combination of two drugs, Zocor and Zetia, one of which (Zocor) is available as a generic. Furthermore, recent reports reveal that Merck and Schering-Plough delayed the release of clinical data showing that despite being priced more than twice as much as generic Zocor (simvastatin), the combination pill had no advantage over simvastatin alone in reducing cholesterol in people with inherited high cholesterol as advertised.

Schumer today released a study detailing how uninsured upstate New Yorkers spent an average of $122.00 per month for a supply of Vytorin, while Simvastatin, its generic counterpart, is available for an average of $56.64 per month, a $65 difference.

"It increasingly looks like New Yorkers from every corner of our state were hoodwinked into paying ridiculously high prices for a drug whose benefits may have been falsely advertised," said Senator Schumer. "Hiding clinical data from patients and airing misleading advertisements is egregious behavior which threatens patients' health and wallets. Misled New Yorkers should be refunded and new safeguards must be implemented to ensure deceptive advertising of pharmaceutical drugs becomes an extinct practice."

Vytorin is a popular anti-cholesterol drug used by millions of Americans that grossed its two manufacturers an estimated $5 billion in sales last year. The drug is a combination of Zocor, a statin made by Merck and Zetia, a new cholesterol management drug made by Schering-Plough. In New York State, Schumer's study shows that over one million prescriptions were filled for Vytorin in 2007, as estimated by Verispan.

Merck and Schering-Plough are now under investigation for potentially misleading consumers about the benefits of the drug in television direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements. From January 2007 to September 2007, Merck and Schering-Plough spent $102 million on advertising for Vytorin, claiming in television commercials that the drug treats both dietary and hereditary forms of high cholesterol.

After two years of delay, this month Merck and Schering-Plough released the results of a manufacturer sponsored clinical trial called "ENHANCE" which found that Vytorin had no statistically significant advantage over simvastatin in lowering intima media thickness (IMT) in the carotid arteries of study participants with a form of inherited high cholesterol known as Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). In plain language, Merck and Schering-Plough's assertions in its advertising that Vytorin effectively treats both inherited and dietary forms of high cholesterol are now under scrutiny by researchers and doctors.

According to a Schumer study, uninsured upstate New Yorkers spent an average of $122.00 for a month's supply of Vytorin. Simvastatin is available for an average of $56.64, a $65 difference.

Schumer today released details of how much more Upstate New Yorkers paid for Vytorin at local CVS, Rite Aids, and other major pharmacy chains in comparison to the price for its generic counterpart.

* In Albany, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $108.00 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $84.00, a difference of $24.00.
* In Binghamton, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $120.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $40.29, a difference of $80.70.
* In Syracuse, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $124.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $56.99, a difference of $68.00
* In Rochester, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $120.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $40.29, a difference of $80.70.
* In Buffalo, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $124.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $56.99, a difference of $68.00.
* In Kingston, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $124.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $56.99, a difference of $68.00.
* In Elmira, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $125.49 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $79.99, a difference of $45.50.
* In Watertown, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $121.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $81.49, a difference of $40.50.
* In Poughkeepsie, Vytorin costs an uninsured patient $117.99 for a month's supply, while simvastatin costs only $33.89 a difference of $84.10.

In recent weeks, the two pharmaceutical manufacturers have come under increasing fire for allegedly delaying the release of clinical data on Vytorin and for spending millions on misleading advertisements. NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo this weekend announced he is investigating both drug companies for delaying the release of the study. New York spent an estimated $21 million for Medicaid prescriptions for Vytorin in the last two years - at an approximate cost of $3.00 a pill for Vytorin compared with 3 cents a pill for Zocor.

In addition, Congressional investigations are under way including one in the Senate Finance Committee, of which Schumer is a member.

The Senator stressed the need to bring better accountability to the direct-to-consumer marketing that has become a popular advertising tool by large pharmaceutical companies. "It's simple: New Yorkers who fork over hard-earned money on necessary prescription drugs ought to know exactly what they're paying for and putting in their bodies," said Senator Schumer. "In many cases, these are life and death decisions and consumers must be confident they're privy to the latest and most advanced data surround drug safety and reliability."

Schumer today said he will monitor the investigations and fight for refunds for New York if appropriate. Schumer today argued that if the pharmaceutical giants are found liable for deceptive advertising tactics, New York State should be reimbursed money it spent in Medicaid funding on Vytorin.

Schumer also will champion greater resources to the Food and Drug Administration's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communications (DDMAC). DDMAC reviewers have responsibility for reviewing prescription drug advertising and promotional labeling to ensure that the information contained in these promotional materials is not false or misleading. In the Omnibus appropriations law enacted in December, Congress provided more than $3 million for DDMAC. Schumer emphasized that more funds and reviewers are needed. Schumer called for greater oversight of DTC advertisements and greater consumer protections.

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