Cost-Effectiveness of Primary Care

Abstract

The resident describes a new patient in clinic today, a 40-year-old woman with a cholesterol reading of 240 mg/dL, but no other coronary risk factors. She asks whether it would be cost-effective to begin therapy with “statin” drugs to lower the patient's cholesterol. The attending physician, always skeptical of high technology and eager to promote preventive care, says “Sure it is. Some of the statin drugs now cost about $50 a month. Compare that with $50,000 for a coronary bypass later on if she isn't treated now.”