New Cholesterol Drugs: Big Promise, Big Price

Some powerful new cholesterol-lowering drugs may be available soon. But before you run to your doctor, know this: The new drugs will be expensive and require a daily injection. Alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha) belong to a new class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors. They work differently than the popular — and cheap — statin drugs that are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. Of course, the goal of lowering cholesterol is to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The statin approach is a bargain. But for people at a higher risk of heart attack, the new drugs, while costly, may offer better protection. HealthDay News wrote about this story on June 11.