NYTimes is reporting that a chloesterol lowering drug will be sold over-the-counter in the UK beginning this summer.
Starting in July, a low dosage of the drug Zocor will be sold over the counter to people at moderate risk of heart disease, a number that could reach 5 million to 10 million. That group includes all men older than 55, as well as men over 45 and women over 55 who smoke, are overweight, have a family history of heart disease or come from the Indian subcontinent, all groups that are at higher risk than the general population.
The US patent for Zocor (simvastatin) is expected to expire in 2006.
Update 5/17/04: US drug makers are working with the FDA to get OTC approval.
A decision is months away, but approval by the Food and Drug Administration could significantly affect the nation’s biggest public health problem, heart disease, and greatly expand sales in the top-selling drug category. (Article)