Have we reached the era of the super drug? First, the GLP-1 drugs went swashbuckling against weight and, possibly, dementia. Now, the FDA has approved the first pill that lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) as effectively as the injectable drugs currently on the market.
The pill, called Lipfendra (enlicitide), is made by Merck and works by blocking a protein called PCSK9. In clinical trials, it cut LDL levels by more than half, roughly matching the results seen with injectable PCSK9 inhibitors already in use.
Easy to Find, Cheaper to Buy
The appeal is convenience and cost. Injectable versions run $500–$600 a month and are used by only a small fraction of eligible patients, partly because insurers resist covering them and some patients avoid needles.
Lipfendra, by contrast, is a once-daily pill that any primary care doctor can prescribe—no cardiologist required. Merck says the list price will be $315 for a 30-day supply, and the drug should reach pharmacies within a few weeks, per The New York Times. It's not yet clear what patients will pay after insurance or whether competitors will respond by lowering their own prices.
Smart Senior Daily will continue to follow this story and update it as more details — including real-world pricing and coverage — become available.
