The independent effect of raising HDL on cardiovascular disease has not been determined. Physicians traditionally have prescribed older classes of drugs, such as diuretics and calcium channel blockers, to treat hypertension in this population. Average blood pressure levels are higher in African Americans compared to Caucasians and African Americans tend to develop hypertension earlier in life. As a result, they are more vulnerable to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. The Company also has filed with the FDA and with regulatory agencies worldwide for a convenient once-weekly formulation, which has already received approval in Mexico.
Similar applications are pending in Europe and Latin America.
This new indication is significant because asthma remains the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood, affecting an estimated 1 in 10 children, and its prevalence and incidence is increasing. Last week, Merck-Medco introduced a new service, YOURxPLAN, a prescription savings plan for people who have to pay for medicines out of their own pockets. With discounts on virtually all prescription drugs, plus additional cash back savings on some major medicines, YOURxPLAN allows people of all ages to save money on their drug bills. Merck s partner in this venture is Reader s Digest, one of the nation s premier direct marketers and most trusted resources for health information and products. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures.