Drug makers tout new drugs for strokes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - America's drug companies are touting progress in treating heart disease and stroke. On Thursday, they released a list of medicines in development now that may prevent problems in the future.

Phrma is a trade group representing America's drug makers. Phrma held a news conference downtown to announce that companies like Indy's own Eli Lilly and its competitors are working on more than 300 drugs targeting stroke and heart problems. That's double the number from four years ago.

The group is using IU swimming great Mark Spitz to help spread the news. Spitz has a history of dangerously high cholesterol.

He said, "And whether or not you are an enormous person or a beanpole, very skinny, that doesn't mean that you do or don't have it until you have that blood test."

Ken Johnson, a spokesman for Phrma, said "Who would have ever thought a guy who won 11 Olympic medals, 9 golds, suffered from high cholesterol? That he had this silent killer that was hidden inside of his body?"

The group said problems are especially profound in Indiana which is far above average for smoking, hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Spitz takes statin drugs, but also acknowledges the value of proper diet and exercise.

He said, "I've lost like 40 pounds, and I feel a lot healthier because of the intervention that I've been proactive in my lifestyle. And I think that's important also."

Spitz turns 60 soon, but said he's healthier now than he has been in years.

24-Hour News 8 also asked Mark Spitz several questions about current events in his sport. To hear what he has to say about Michael Phelps, IU's swimming program, and the record-breaking Carmel High School girls' team, tune to WISH-TV this weekend on Sportslocker.