Platelets are humble blood cells that roam in clusters and guard against any bleeding in internal organs. Though it has natural powers to regulate itself against aggregation at inappropriate sites , certain high risk individuals need to take these drugs to prevent cardiac event. Patients who harbor intra-coronary foreign bodies like stents need more intense antiplatelet regimens.
We have variety of antiplatlet drugs. Aspirin does it by blocking COX. It is irreversible .Clopidgrel does this differently by inhibiting P2 Y12 receptors .Clopidogrel has been used extensively in India. Some brands of it are many folds costly as well !
A curious encounter
A certain patient with a stable CAD, from higher strata of society was offended when I replaced his long term prescription of Plavix(Clopidogrel) with Aspirin.His major humiliation was this new drug costs just 50 paise ! He suggested to me , it is huge insult to him as his driver also takes the same medication !
What does pride do in platelet inhibition I tried to explain him ?
He was amused !
I asked him to go elsewhere , to any star-rated , upscale health suit nearby to fulfill his wishes !
The above event happened few years ago . I am just posting it from by diary .
Final message
In this unequal world , prestige comes to play even in illness and the drugs they take ! I wonder, how prevalent, is the issue of pride in our patient’s mind that decide the treatment modality in modern day medial care !
Your comment.
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 
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