IMPROVE-IT

One week until the end of an easy $4B a year in revenue

 

What is the word on the study? Anyone heard the scoop?

 

yes vytorin has a statistically significant effect on improving earnings as compared to placebo

 

Pretty funny line actually

I wouldn't be so quick about your assessment of the study. I've heard that there was incremental benefit, and it was safe. We'll have to wait and see. We might be ok. Maybe I should say I hope we're ok

Ya yah

 

Bottom line. What is happening with the cardio jobs? New sales force, changes, expansions? People want to know.

 

All positions are going part time contract. No fulltime positions.

 

If it takes 18000 patients and over 5000 events to find a difference after 5+ years, then whatever positive effect there may is vanishingly small.

 

indeed

 

If results are not overwhelmingly good, managed care plans won't keep it on formulary.

 

Good op for the mommy group.

 

Any insights it is the Merck junior varsity team that is now managing the cholesterol franchise. The lights are going to be shut next week.

 

so true

 

Of course the study will show what Merck wants it to…After all, this is the company that brought you VIOXX, FOSOMAX, and GARDASIL…very trustworthy data I am sure!!

 

If I am reading this correctly, results from Improve It are not bad at all

Merck Filing Suggests Trial Results Won’t Significantly Hurt Vytorin, Zetia
http://online.wsj.com/articles/merck-filing-suggests-trial-results-wont-significantly-hurt-vytorin-zetia-1415643977

 

You are reading it correctly! Great news at last.

 

You lower LDL you improve outcomes. There is no magic fairy dust effect of statins. Its all LDL lowering and minor effects on HDL.

 

I wouldn't get so excited, Skippy. The study is a failure…at best.

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/pharmalot/2014/11/11/does-a-positive-result-for-the-vytorin-trial-really-help-merck/

 

The results won't show a statistically significant difference either way. If they did, they would have been disclosed by now. My guess is that there is a very small numerical advantage for drug but not close to statistically significant. There may be a subgroup of the population which shows greater benefit. The relevance of this would be hotly debated.

 

Outcomes baby... Tunnel vision with LDL lowering..