The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is concerned by data suggesting patients have stopped taking prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications in response to claims by the ABC’s Catalyst programme last month, and is urging patients to consult their GP before ceasing any prescribed medication.
A report by the National Heart Foundation of Australia on the impact of the Catalyst programme on lipid modifying medication use states 22% of respondents have changed their medication adherence, either by stopping or altering their prescribed medication since the programme aired.
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles, said there are serious health consequences associated with altering or ceasing any prescribed medication without proper clinical consultation.
“Like all medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, have associated risks and benefits, however there are multiple primary and secondary prevention trials which provide strong evidence to the beneficial nature of statins,” said Dr Marles.
Encouragingly, the report states 25% of respondents did consult their regular GP or health professional to discuss medication concerns resulting from claims presented by Catalyst.
“If patients are concerned about their prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication, I urge them to discuss these concerns with their GP who has clinical knowledge in the management of cardiovascular disease prevention,” said Dr Marles.
In response to the programme’s claims, the RACGP provided advice on cardiovascular disease prevention and useful resources on the benefit of cardiovascular risk and statin use for all Australian GPs.
The RACGP adopts a multiple risk factor approach to cardiovascular disease prevention, with cholesterol being only one of a number of risk factors that lead to heart disease and supports the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance Guidelines which bases treatment decisions on a patient’s absolute cardiovascular risk.
The RACGP urges patients to exercise caution in altering or ceasing any prescribed medication. GPs are encouraged to follow guidelines outlined in its Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (8th edition) (red book) in delivering evidence-based cardiovascular disease prevention activities.