FDA Approves Daily Oral Pill to Lower Bad Cholesterol

The FDA has approved Lipfendra, a daily oral pill to lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol. This is a first-of-its-kind treatment that offers an alternative to injectable PCSK9 inhibitors.

Lipfendra, manufactured by Merck, inhibits the protein PCSK9, which normally prevents the body from clearing LDL from the blood. The pill will cost around $300 per month, lower than comparable injectables priced at about $500 monthly.

The FDA based its decision on two late-stage trials where Lipfendra reduced LDL levels by 56% to 59% compared to a placebo. Experts say this gives patients who can't or won't take injectables a new option and broadens adoption due to the ease of pill-taking over injections.