The Statins Debate is Reignited

Should all over 50s be taking statins?

the debate was reignited by Professor Collins at the European Cardiology Congress in Munich. He reported that evidence from 130,000 patients taking statins in trials show they are safe and consequently they should be given to all over-50s whether they have heart disease or not.

Yet is view is not endorsed by drug safety watchdogs here who have insisted on flagging up relatively minor side effects which are putting patients off the drugs. These include memory loss, depression, sexual difficulties and depression. According to Prof Collins, trial data shows only one significant side effect, myopathy or muscle pain, which affects one in 10,000 patients. Read more…