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ASH Daily News
29 October 2002


HEADLINES

Is heart wonder drug worth the price?
Imperial launches upmarket Davidoff brand
BAT sends condolences to family of its victim


FULL TEXT

Is heart wonder drug worth the price?

An article in the Express looks at the implications to the National Health
Service of providing cholesterol lowering drugs that could save thousands of
lives but would place a huge burden on the NHS. A recent large study of
the effectiveness of statins has revealed that it is not just people with
high cholesterol who benefit but also those with normal cholesterol levels.
The research found that in people with high blood pressure but normal
cholesterol, adding a statin to their treatment resulted in 30 per cent
fewer heart attacks and strokes, compared to those who were just taking
drugs to treat high blood pressure. However, statins cost up to £600 a year
per patient and giving them to everyone who might benefit would cost the NHS
£2.9 billion. The Express notes that in the short term at least, the NHS
can’t afford to give these extra statins to everyone at risk of heart
disease and asks whether “the State should be expected to provide £600 worth
of drugs to help prevent heart disease in someone who won’t give up chips,
cigarettes or booze?” The article concludes that “No pill can make a
significant difference to the damage caused by smoking.. Statins may help a
little but taking pills is never a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.”

The Express, 29/10/02


Imperial re-launch upmarket Davidoff brand

Imperial Tobacco is launching Davidoff cigarettes in the UK. The Davidoff
brand is most often associated with clothing, fragrances and accessories,
and is being used by Imperial to boost its “super premium sector” of the
market.

Scottish Grocer, 31/10/02



BAT sends condolences to family of its victim

BAT (Australia) has sent a message of “sympathy” to the family of Rolah
McCabe, who died of lung cancer at the weekend. However, the company has
said that it will continue to appeal against the lawsuit. Mrs. McCabe
was awarded damages against BAT after it was revealed that BAT had shredded
key documents. Mrs McCabe’s husband also died recently of a heart attack.

The Australian, 29/10/02
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,5379046%255E42
1,00.html

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Amanda Sandford
Research Manager
ASH
102 Clifton Street
LONDON
EC2A 4HW
Tel. 020 7739 5902
Fax.020 7613 0531
amanda.sandford@ash.org.uk