Rosuvastatin treatment for JUPITER-eligible patients appears to be cost effective, particularly among those with a Framingham risk score of 10 percent or greater, based on a substudy by the JUPITER researchers, which was published Feb. 15 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, the accompanying commentary questioned whether the cost associated with the millions of increased statin users, based on the JUPITER researchers' recommendations, is "the best use" of today's "healthcare dollars?"

A new study published Jan. 26 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) presents strong evidence that pay-for-performance (P4P) does not offer any benefit to patients with hypertension, despite the enormous administrative costs required to maintain such a system.

Despite posting a very strong 2010 fourth quarter, Pfizer reported losses for its income in the fiscal year of 2010, which were somewhat negatively impacted by declining sales of atorvastatin (Lipitor).

Arena Pharmaceuticals is planning to slash 66 employees from its workforce; however, the company said it will continue its fight with the FDA to gain regulatory approval for its obesity drug lorcaserin.

There is not enough evidence to use statins for primary prevention in those at low risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, studies examining primary prevention need to be better designed, according to a meta-analysis by The Cochrane Collaboration published in January.

Statins are at least as effective in patients with low levels of inflammation as they are in other patients, according to a study from the Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group published online Jan. 27 in the Lancet. These findings refute the suggestion that a person's level of systemic inflammation, as measured by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), could modify their response to statin therapy.

St. Jude Medical has reported positive sales and net earnings for the fourth quarter and year, which ended Jan. 1, and were bolstered by increased profits in its cardiac rhythm management (CRM) and atrial fibrillation segments.

If Canada adopted a more restrictive policy on administering ARBs that did not negatively affect cardiovascular health, the country could have saved the healthcare system $77 million in 2006, according to a study published in the January issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.