Reported by Chien Hao-Cheng from Taipei

The NHIA announced to relax the reimbursement criteria for hypolipidemic agents for some high-risk groups from February 1.  Patients whose LDL-C level reaches 70mg/dL are now able to access the NHI-reimbursed drugs.  About 30,000 patients will benefit from this new regulation and prevent cardiovascular diseases.   Doctors reminded patients to continue their medication even after their LDL-C level reaches the target.  Discontinuation of the treatment will increase the risk to health, warned the doctors.

The NHIA made the announcement on February 1 to lower the reimbursement criteria from LDL-C 100mg/dL to 70mg/dL for high-risk patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome, cardiac catheterization, coronary atherosclerosis, etc.

Dr Lee Yi-Hung, President of the Taiwan Society of Lipids & Atherosclerosis, expressed that coronary heart disease is caused by coronary artery stenosis or obstruction; and high blood lipids, diabetes, etc., are the usual causes of endothelial cell dysfunction which contributes to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Dr Lee expressed that the NHI-reimbursed hypolipidemic agents used to be available for patients whose LDL-C level reaches 100mg/dL.   According to recent epidemiological studies, more than 80% of patients with cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease have an LDL-C level above 70mg/dL; and such patients are at high risk of heart problems.  The NHIA’s revised regulation reduces this potential health hazard.

Dr Yeh Hong-Yi, the Vice President of Mackay Memorial Hospital, expressed that many patients believe that blood lipids can be controlled through diet.  As a matter of fact, only 15% of the cholesterol level is associated with diet.  There are studies suggesting that, for high risk groups, their blood lipid will reach the original level before treatments just in 3-4 months from the discontinuation of the treatment.  Patients are advised to continue their medication in order to maintain the treatment result.

Dr Lee pointed out that the incidence of heart disease is 25% for patients whose LDL-C level is over 70mg/dL.  Though the result varies from patient to patient, generally speaking, reducing the LDL-C level by per 39mg/dL could lower the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke by 20%, said Dr Lee.

【2019-02-27/ United Evening News 】