A Cost-Effective Treatment Approach Using Rosuvastatin+Clopidogrel Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) to Enhance Adherence:...

Background Medication adherence is mostly influenced by cost, and disease management can be achieved through cost-effective combinations. The present study aimed to evaluate adherence to the cost-effective fixed dose combination (FDC) of rosuvastatin and clopidogrel in the management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods This retrospective, non-randomized, non-comparative, multicenter study was conducted across 100 healthcare centers in India. Patients aged ≥18 years, of either sex, who were prescribed a combination of rosuvastatin and clopidogrel, and had a clinical diagnosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or were post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or were at high risk for cardiovascular events, as determined by standard care practices in medicine and cardiology, were included in the study. Results A total of 975 patients were included in the study. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity observed in 749 (76.82%) patients, followed by diabetes in 706 (72.41%) patients. All patients received a clopidogrel dose of 75 mg. However, 492 (50.46%) patients were prescribed rosuvastatin 20 mg, while 483 (49.54%) patients received the 10 mg dose. Adherence to all prescribed doses was reported in 931 patients (95.49%). The most commonly reported reasons for treatment adherence with clopidogrel and rosuvastatin were decreased cost, reported by 672 patients (68.92%), and simplified dosing, reported by 589 patients (60.41%). Furthermore, 548 (56.21%) physicians rated the efficacy of a combination of clopidogrel and rosuvastatin as excellent, while 549 (56.31%) physicians rated its tolerability as excellent. Better adherence and treatment of dyslipidemia were significantly more common reasons for prescribing treatments among patients with an income of >10 lakh compared to those with an income of <5 lakh and five to 10 lakh (P=0.023 and P=0.047, respectively). The physician's global evaluations of both efficacy and tolerability were rated as "Excellent" significantly more commonly in patients receiving the 20 mg dose of rosuvastatin compared to those receiving the 10 mg dose (P=0.004 and P=0.028, respectively). Conclusion The combination of clopidogrel and rosuvastatin was well-tolerated, with high adherence in patients with ASCVD, post-ACS, and those at high cardiovascular risk.