In healthcare, prevention remains one of the most powerful tools we have. In the case of cardiovascular disease, which continues to be a leading cause of illness and death, responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization, statin therapy is a clear example of prevention in action.
These medications are a proactive shield, working to lower cholesterol and prevent any negative consequences. Reliance on this preventive measure is growing, with statin utilization increasing by 24.75% between 2015 and 2020. For health plans striving for better outcomes, mastering statin therapy is essential for building a healthier future for countless patients.
Statin therapy is the use of statin, a widely prescribed class of medications designed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. These medications work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver responsible for producing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. By reducing LDL levels, statins help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, ultimately lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications tied to Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD).
As a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention, statin therapy manages long-term health outcomes for millions of patients. However, the success of this therapy depends on early identification of at-risk individuals, evidence-based prescribing, and consistent patient engagement.
Statin therapy is primarily recommended for individuals at risk of, or already diagnosed with, ASCVD. This includes a wide range of patients, from those with a history of heart attack or stroke to individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels and other significant risk factors. Key indications for statin therapy include:
Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) offer a clear framework for the use of statins in clinical care. These evidence-based recommendations aim to align treatment decisions with each patient’s risk profile and goals.
Key components of these guidelines include:
These clinical guidelines provide a strong foundation for initiating and managing statin therapy, but real-world implementation can be more complex. Translating these recommendations into consistent, long-term outcomes requires addressing the practical challenges patients and care teams face every day.
For health plans, the management of statin therapy extends beyond individual patient care and directly influences compliance and performance benchmarks. More specifically, statin adherence is closely tied to key CMS quality measures:
Failure to meet these benchmarks directly impacts CMS Star Ratings, HEDIS scores, quality bonus payments, and overall performance in value-based contracts.
When members remain nonadherent, the consequences are clear:
While statin therapy is a leading tool for cardiovascular disease prevention and management, its long-term effectiveness depends on overcoming several key challenges. From adherence issues to patient engagement and polypharmacy, these barriers can directly impact patient outcomes and strain healthcare resources.
Health plans and pharmacists, especially those working in remote or telehealth settings, are in a unique position to recognize and address these roadblocks through proactive, personalized support.
Despite statins' proven benefits, non-adherence is a widespread issue that undermines their effectiveness. Patients may stop taking their statin due to the absence of symptoms, fear of side effects, or simply because the long-term benefit feels too far removed from their daily routine. Others forget doses or struggle with complex schedules.
For care teams, this challenge results in increased risk of cardiovascular events and higher downstream costs tied to preventable complications. Remote pharmacists are often the first line of defense since they’re able to identify non-adherence trends, educate patients, and re-establish the connection between daily medication use and long-term heart health.
Although generally well-tolerated, statins can cause side effects. While often mild, these side effects can lead to patient discomfort and, more importantly, discontinuation of their therapy.
Understanding which symptoms are truly statin-related, addressing patient concerns early, and recommending adjustments (such as dose changes or alternative statins) can help maintain adherence. Pharmacists play a critical role here, guiding symptom reporting, managing expectations, and ensuring patients don’t abandon therapy due to manageable side effects.
One of the most overlooked contributors to statin discontinuation is a lack of patient understanding. Many patients don’t realize the purpose of statins, especially when they feel fine. Without clear education on the risks of untreated high cholesterol and the preventive power of statins, motivation to stay on therapy diminishes.
Pharmacists can bridge this gap through one-on-one conversations tailored to each patient’s health literacy, language, and beliefs. These touchpoints build trust, reinforce the value of adherence, and empower patients to take a more active role in their cardiovascular care.
Patients on statin therapy often manage multiple chronic conditions, leading to polypharmacy and increasing the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and medication confusion. These complex regimens can overwhelm patients and reduce adherence across all therapies, not just statins.
Health plans and remote pharmacists can support safer medication management by conducting comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs), flagging potential interactions, and recommending regimen simplifications where appropriate. These interventions help patients stay on track and reduce the risk of adverse drug events.
Effective statin therapy management requires regular monitoring to assess LDL levels, track side effects, and make timely adjustments to treatment. But without a structured monitoring process in place, patients may fall through the cracks.
As frontline medication experts, pharmacists help close gaps in monitoring and drive better outcomes through ongoing patient engagement and clinical oversight.
Pharmacists, particularly remote pharmacists leveraging advanced pharmacy technology, are key players in optimizing statin therapy. Their role extends well beyond medication dispensing. From therapeutic optimization to patient education and care coordination, pharmacists are instrumental in helping patients achieve safer, effective, and more consistent outcomes with statin therapy.
For health plans, pharmacist-led support improves quality metrics, enhances member satisfaction, and reduces the total cost of care, making their involvement not just beneficial but essential.
Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help align each patient’s statin regimen with clinical guidelines, individual risk factors, and therapeutic goals. Their involvement helps identify the right medication, at the right dose, for the right patient while minimizing risks and cost barriers.
Key areas of pharmacist intervention include:
Medication adherence is one of the most significant predictors of statin therapy success, and pharmacists are on the front lines of with making sure patients stay on track. Their approach combines education, access support, and proactive follow-up. Common strategies include:
Pharmacists go beyond “how to take your statin” instructions. Instead, they equip patients with the knowledge and confidence needed to manage their cardiovascular health proactively.
Pharmacists serve as vital communicators within the healthcare team, fostering a collaborative approach to statin therapy management:
This level of collaboration becomes even more impactful when supported by modern technology. With new technologies emerging in the pharmacy industry, these tools are bringing collaborative efforts directly to patients, no matter their location.
Removing geographic and logistical barriers allows patients to receive expert, pharmacist-led support no matter where they live. For individuals managing cardiovascular risk, this expanded access can be lifesaving.
Thanks to innovative pharmacy solutions, virtual pharmacist consultations make it possible to conduct comprehensive medication reviews, monitor lab results, counsel on side effects, and provide education on lifestyle modifications, all without the need for in-person visits. This convenience is especially meaningful for patients in rural, urban, underserved, or mobility-limited populations, who often face the greatest barriers to routine pharmacy care.
Telepharmacy also helps address deeper healthcare disparities by enabling culturally competent, personalized care. Matching patients with pharmacists based on language, location, and clinical expertise builds trust, fosters better communication, and encourages long-term adherence, key to preventing cardiovascular events.
To help limit care gaps in statin therapy, innovative solutions like BeWell and Alliance by Aspen RxHealth take telepharmacy to the next level. BeWell connects patients to a nationwide network of pharmacists who provide culturally sensitive, personalized care that resonates with diverse populations. Delivered through a flexible, web-based platform, BeWell allows pharmacists to meet patients where they are and when it’s most convenient.
For those who want to strengthen their pharmacy services, Alliance provides a robust SaaS solution so that in-house care teams can scale pharmacist-led interventions. This includes real-time data insights, seamless connectivity, and streamlined workflows that allow the plan’s in-house provider teams to intervene quickly and effectively.
Aspen RxHealth’s platforms are designed to directly address common care gaps, including those tied to statin therapy management. Through telepharmacy solutions, pharmacists and health plans are equipped to deliver timely, personalized interventions that drive better adherence, improve outcomes, reduce overall costs, and raise CMS quality scores.
Ultimately, Aspen RxHealth’s personalized approach increases engagement and makes certain that patients receive care that feels both relevant and accessible. To start helping patients improve their statin therapy management through personalized care, reach out today to see Aspen RxHealth’s pharmacy solutions in action!