Dyslipidemia, involving levels of cholesterol and other lipids or fats in the blood outside levels deemed to be safe, affects a significant proportion of the world’s population. It is particularly notable in developed countries, being influenced by factors such modern diet and lack of physical exercise, as well as other recognized risk factors. However, the problem is also growing in developing countries and in doing so is increasing the burden of healthcare.
According to WHO estimates, some 16.7m people around the world died of cardiovascular diseases in 2002.
Given the continued rise in rates of death from such diseases, the WHO projects that in 2020, some 25m will die of CVD. According to the WHO, over 4 million deaths occurring annually can be attributed to cholesterol problems, with regions such as Europe and the developed nations of Asia Pacific suffering particularly badly from the resulting effects. Data demonstrates that cholesterol levels are significantly high in these regions, as well as in North America. In 2020, some 25m are projected to die as a result of such diseases.
This report focuses on 10 key countries, providing coverage of the market in North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. These countries accounted for 90% of the global market in 2002-03. The largest market by far is the US, which, at close to $14bn in 2003, was well over six times larger than the second-ranked market, Japan. At around $1bn each, the markets in the UK, France and Germany may be only half the size of that in Japan, but their growth rates have been much quicker, as a result of which they have narrowed the gap on the second-ranked market. The rate of growth in the UK has been particularly rapid. Mexico, too, has also performed well, from a low base. The Brazilian market is very undeveloped in sales terms. As a result of the major economic problems suffered in Brazil in the period under review, this was the only market to post a negative CAGR performance, in terms of dollar sales.
In the light of these statistics and the role played by dyslipidemia in CVD, action is being taken to monitor and control cholesterol levels. This has led to the development of guidelines on safe lipid levels, such as those published by the US National Cholesterol Education Panel (NCEP). These guidelines also provide guidance on appropriate treatment methods, including the role played by diet and exercise, as well as by drugs.
Meanwhile, the indications base for statins and other cholesterol management products is being extended by research in other fields. This may extend the scope of the class beyond cholesterol management and cardiovascular health into fields such as diabetes, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. A range of new types of products are also in development, that will offer new forms of treatment, as well as further options for combinations with statins and other products. However, government cost-containment measures and payer preferences will foster the growth of generic versions of established products. Generics could be favored for long-term primary preventive use, which may offset some of the longer-term costs stemming from inadequate control of cholesterol.