New report shows cholesterol treatment guidelines vary throughout Europe

A new Cholesterol Guidelines Report by the Policy Analysis Centre, was launched this month at the European Atherosclerosis Society meeting in Helsinki, Finland. This shows that more needs to be done to improve implementation of the Third European Joint Taskforce Guidelines for LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein, or "bad," cholesterol) in Europe.

The report was made possible through a grant from drug companies Merck Sharp & Dohme (Merck & Co group) and Schering-Plough. The conclusions of the Policy Analysis Centre and the views expressed are independent of the sponsors.

Adherence to the European guidelines varies from country to country, the report notes. Results highlight poor management of high risk patients, limited LDL-C screening and insufficient use of lipid lowering drugs and newer treatments, such as the cholesterol absorption inhibitors.