Cerivastatin versus branded pravastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia in primary care practice in Canada: A one-year, open-label, randomized, comparative study of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness

BACKGROUND: Potential cost differences between statins are driven primarily by drug costs, differential lowering effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and adverse drug interactions and reactions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and direct treatment costs of cerivastatin and branded pravastatin in adult patients with primary hypercholesterolemia over a 1-year period.