REHM
And, Roni Rabin, if I could start with you, tell us about these most recent studies regarding prescribing testosterone.
MS. RONI CARYN RABIN
The study that came out last week that got everyone's attention said that heart attacks doubled in men who were 65 and over within 90 days of getting their first prescription of testosterone and nearly tripled in younger men who had had a history of heart disease also within that 90-day period. And it wasn't the first study. There have been other studies, observational studies, randomized controlled trials that were analyzed that have sent this signal as well. So this alarmed a lot of people.
REHM
I would wonder why there are so many more people taking testosterone. What does the research tell us, Roni?
RABIN
Well, it's become a huge business. This has become a $2 billion business in the United States over the last decade or so. There's been an enormous amount of money pumped into advertising, not just advertising specific drugs, but these campaigns to raise awareness about a disease or a condition. And at this point, nearly one in 25 men in their 60s is taking testosterone. Use has nearly quadrupled among men 40 and over.