Viability of Premarin as a Hormone Replacement Therapy

Essay by amarchahalUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, October 2011

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Risks Exaggerated, Premarin Still Viable

HMB431 Major Paper

3/16/2011

Group 3

Amar Chahal

David Jiang

Masato Tokida

Shuai Zhi

Keshia Gudge

Waiky Lau

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The risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a topic of much debate in the recent decade. The most widely known HRT drug is Premarin, currently sold by Pfizer. Initially, Premarin was advertised as a drug that could keep women young and feminine after the onset of menopause1. However, findings from a Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002 suggested that HRT increases a patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and breast cancer2. These results substantially decreased the prescription of the drug, and raised a lot of controversy about the viability of HRT as a drug for postmenopausal women3. Despite the recent controversy, there is a strong business case for Premarin4,5,6,7. To demonstrate the viability of Premarin, the scientific background of Premarin, a business analysis, and opposing views from various individuals within the industry will be used.

Scientific Background

Hormone replacement has been the leading treatment for women experiencing symptoms associated with menopause since the launch of Premarin in 1942 by Wyeth. Women entering menopause can experience serious symptoms due to the declining levels of estrogen in the body. Premarin's mechanism of action, its studied effects on serum lipid composition, bone mineral density, hypertension, and cognitive function will be discussed below to prove that Premarin is efficient in treating menopausal symptoms.

The female reproductive system's development and maintenance is largely based on the proper functioning of a family of hormones, especial the secretion of estrogens which is depleted during menopause and which is replaced during HRT with Premarin. This decline in estrogens levels can have mild or severe symptoms for some women. For example, one of the most common symptoms associated with...