Use of unnecessary medications by terminally ill cancer patients.

Review from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Patient and Survivor Care Abstracts, June 4–8, 2010

“…Among the 'unnecessary' medications were statins, gastric protectors, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic medications. 8 I think what is deemed unnecessary may be 'in the eye of the beholder' and is certainly not evidence based. For instance, if statins are discontinued and venous thromboembolism occurs with a higher frequency, then the cost of treating the morbidity of thromboembolism (with heparin and potentially hospitalization) and symptom burden (dyspnea, chest and leg pain) may outweigh the cost savings.…”