Add-on ezetimibe may be cost-effective for statin-intolerant patients in Thailand

Many patients with acute coronary syndrome cannot take the strongest statin drugs because of side effects. This situation leaves them with fewer options for preventing future heart problems. A new analysis looks at whether adding ezetimibe to a moderate-intensity statin helps these people without costing too much. The study focused on patients in Thailand who are already intolerant to high-intensity statin therapy. It compared this combination approach against using a moderate-intensity statin alone. The researchers calculated how much extra money it costs to gain one extra year of healthy life. They found the cost was about 4,400 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year from a societal view. From a healthcare provider perspective, the cost was slightly lower at about 4,220 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year. A quality-adjusted life year measures both how long you live and how well you feel. The analysis showed a 56.8 percent chance that this strategy is considered cost-effective by local standards. The base-case cost was only marginally below the national threshold for value. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed this 56.8 percent probability of cost-effectiveness. The study did not report specific safety data or adverse events. Results should be interpreted with appropriate caution because the evidence is limited. This finding suggests that adding ezetimibe might be a smart choice for secondary prevention in this specific group.