After sitting on the results of a study that could cause a negative impact on stock prices, Merck and Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, finally released data for the ENHANCE trial, testing the effect of Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin combined) against an older drug, now available in generic form, Zocor (simvastatin alone). Unfortunately, the data showed that the combination drug Vytorin, which is quite expensive, was no better at reducing artery clogging than the older and cheaper statin.

720 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited high cholesterol from one of their biological parents) participated in the ENHANCE study. Over the two years of the study, there was no significant difference in the ability of the two drugs to slow the growth of plaque in carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain.

The American College of Cardiology said patients should not stop taking the drug on the basis of these results, the situation is not urgent, and they should talk to their doctor about any concerns they have. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about the risks and benefits of statin alone versus statin plus ezetimibe, said the ACC. The American College of Cardiology said in a press release that “major clinical decisions not be made on the basis of the ENHANCE study alone”.

What I find interesting is the fact that the two year drug study ended in April 2006. January 16, 2008 we receive the results? In the words of John McEnroe “You cannot be serious!!!!!” According to a report by Reuters news agency, Congress is planning to investigate how the two companies handled the release of the study’s results, calling the delay a “suspiciously long time”.

Tags: ENHANCE trial, John McEnroe, Merck, Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, The American College of Cardiology, Vytorin, Zocor

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