Novel Web App for OTC Statin Medication: TACTiC Study Lead Author Steven Nissen, MD, Explains Findings

“Less than half of the patients who meet guideline eligibility for a moderate-intensity statin in primary prevention are actually being treated, we needed to find ways to close that gap,” said Steven Nissen, MD, in a recent interview with Patient Care Online. Dr Nissen is the lead author of the Technology Assisted Self-Selection in Consumers (TACTiC) study, which he presented findings from during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, April 6-8, 2024. TACTiC is the first experiment with a traditionally prescribed statin medication to demonstrate that, outside of a clinical setting and in the absence of a health care professional, users could self-select, confirm eligibility, and take a statin appropriately via a web application.

Dr Nissen sat down with Patient Care to discuss the impetus behind the study, the potential public health implications of the results, how technology-assisted tools can be integrated into clinical practice in the future, and more.

Dr Nissen is Chief Academic Officer, Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.