Amarin Corp Plc (AMRN)

[dogn]

Lovaza vs. Vascepa

This is old (2015) but it turned up (again?) in my searching today:
Case Reports Postgrad Med. 2015;127(8):869-73.
doi: 10.1080/00325481.2015.1100086. Epub 2015 Oct 9.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26453247/

Effects of switching from omega-3-acid ethyl esters to icosapent ethyl in a statin-treated patient with elevated triglycerides

Just 1 case study here, but switch from Lovaza to Vascepa "resulted in beneficial and substantial changes in the lipid profile with a notable reduction of TG levels along with additional reductions in LDL-C levels in a statin-treated obese patient with persistently high TG levels."

Weekly scripts have recently appeared headed towards TRx Vascepa dropping below TRx G. Lovaza.

In contrast, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved Vazkepa but with regard to Lovaza/Omacor "has confirmed that omega-3 fatty acid medicines containing a combination of an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at a dose of 1 g per day are not effective in preventing further problems with the heart and blood vessels in patients who have had a heart attack. ... This means that these medicines should no longer be used in this way. However, they can still be used to reduce levels of certain types of blood fat called triglycerides.

"Omega-3 fatty acid medicines have been authorised for use after a heart attack, in combination with other medicines, in several EU countries since 2000, at a dose of 1 g per day. At the time of their authorisation, available data showed some benefits in reducing serious problems with the heart and blood vessels.

"EMA’s committee for human medicines, CHMP, re-assessed the evidence accumulated over the years on these medicines for this specific use and consulted additional experts in the field. It concluded that, although there are no new safety concerns, the effectiveness of these medicines in preventing recurrence of problems with the heart and blood vessels has not been confirmed.

"EMA concluded that the marketing authorisations of these medicines should be updated to remove this use."

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/referrals/omega-3-acid-ethyl-esters-containing-medicinal-products-oral-use-secondary-prevention-after

It's really surprising generic Lovaza is still so widely prescribed. BPs eyeing Vascepa likely believe some heavy marketing education could swing much of the Lovaza market to Vascepa. It would be nice if the FDA would proactively address ineffectiveness of Lovaza so that instead of saving consumers money they would instead be saving consumers lives.