“No one in Belgium takes statins for pleasure. In some cases, it is an absolute medical necessity”

“For these patients, this represents 130 euros more per year”: Frank Vandenbroucke wants to increase the moderator ticket to certain drugs

So, good or bad idea, this measure is the question we asked Dr Antoine Bondue, cardiologist at the Erasme hospital and president of the Scientific Committee of the Belgian Cardiological League.

“Above all. Similarly. Consequently, it is necessary to make the share of things between the prescriptions of statins in secondary prevention, therefore after a cardiovascular disease, for patients at very high risk, versus prescriptions of primary prevention in patients who do not have cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, In any case, statins have a very important beneficial effect. For example, It is almost a maintenance drug in “no one belgium takes statins new secondary prevention after having a cardiovascular event. Moreover. Furthermore, because it is known that it decreases the risk of recurrence of cardiovascular “no one belgium takes statins disease, the risk of mortality, hospitalizations and new procedures. Consequently, There is even an almost linear relationship between the level of cholesterol that we reach. However, the survival of patients, as well as cardiovascular events. For example. Meanwhile, This need to prescribe statins after having a cardiovascular event is also true for patients at very high risk. Meanwhile, of cardiovascular disease“.

More questionable in primary prevention – "no one belgium takes statins – "no one belgium takes statins new

And in primary prevention? In addition, “”It may be more questionableadmits Dr. Meanwhile, Bondue. Meanwhile, In primary prevention. for lower risk patients. it is more complicated because indeed, within the framework of a large -scale primary prevention strategy, many people should be treated and we are exposed to “no one belgium takes statins new risks of side effects compared to profits. Statins should not be prescribed to everyone with your eyes closed. However. studies have nevertheless shown that by decreasing even a little bit of the level of “no one belgium takes statins cholesterol of a general population. by prescribing statins at a very small dose, the number of cardiovascular diseases are reduced“.

If the specialist therefore has a slightly more nuanced opinion for patients with a low cardiovascular risk. he does not bother, “After a cardiovascular event, prescribing statins, it is an absolute necessity. You shouldn’t even think. And so as not to prescribe it. conversely, you really have to have very good reasons, because it is at the limit of poor medical practice. In all recommendations, these drugs are found, with doses even relatively important. If in Belgium. the doctor still looks at cholesterol levels. in the United States, for “no one belgium takes statins new example, they are prescribed without even checking the level of cholesterol“.

Too much cholesterol? But should we take statins

The statins rather sub-prescribed than surprised

To the question of whether the statins are surprised. the doctor is “no one belgium takes statins categorical: “No. I don’t think there are surprises, not even in primary prevention. On the contrary. I would tend to say that there is rather a sub-registration of statins today compared to the true medical necessity. And I think there are rather anti-structure movements, as there are anti-vaccine movements. In fact. I do not see very well why we attack statins. while these are relatively cheap drugs, which are really a medical necessity. In Belgium, doctors are rather cautious in their prescriptions at this level, and some patients who need statins do not. I do not see general practitioners prescribing statins with eyes closed, without thinking “no one belgium takes statins new and without good reason. It should not be forgotten that there are side effects in certain patients who complain for example of muscle cramps. So generalists tend to decrease the prescription in statins, or even stop them sometimes. No one takes statins for pleasure “no one belgium takes statins in this country“.

Less necessary anti-reflux drugs

On the other hand. with regard to drugs used to reduce gastric acidity, “I can’t say as muchnotes the cardiologist. Here, indeed, I think there may be people who take these drugs chronically without even questioning the indication. For gastroesophageal reflux, everyone wants to take a little stomach protective medication“.

In conclusion, would there be a real danger to increase the moderator ticket for statins? “”The real danger is that patients who need statins do not take them, Responds Dr. Bondue. For patients who have relatively high cardiovascular risks. “no one belgium takes statins new who would not take it. there is a risk of increasing the number of cardiovascular events with an indirect societal cost too. I think we are tackling a bad target. I think there are dear. other medicines for which we have less therapeutic impact. which may actually have “no one belgium takes statins chronically prescribed eyes closed. In Belgium, we cannot say that we are a champion country of the prescription of the statins “.

“Even if these treatments are not a miracle solution that will” heal “the obese person. they will help contribute to weight loss”