Millions are ‘needlessly’ taking statins to ward off heart attack, due to ‘FLAWED’ evidence of benefits
STATINS are being needlessly doled out to millions of Brits due to “misleading” claims over their benefits, suggest leading medics.
They have re-ignited the row over the drug’s safety – and called for further public debate.
Brit cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra said a landmark study dismissing fears over the cholesterol-busting pills was “fundamentally flawed”.
He said it downplayed side-effects, such as diabetes and muscle pain.
In September, experts writing in the doctors' bible The Lancet said only two per cent of users suffer any ill effects.
In the biggest-ever probe into them, found the benefits in warding off strokes and heart attacks far outweigh any slight risks.
And researchers concluded the drugs help prevent around 80,000 heart attacks and strokes each year.
But a group of international scientists has now challenged these claims.
Decades of misinformation on cholesterol and the gross exaggeration of statin benefits with downplaying of side effects has likely led to the overmedication of millions
Dr Aseem Malhotra
Heart expert Dr Malhotra - a long-time critic of statins - questioned how the study was conducted and warned it was “scientifically misleading”.
Writing in the journal Prescriber, he said: “Decades of misinformation on cholesterol and the gross exaggeration of statin benefits with downplaying of side effects has likely led to the overmedication of millions.”
His views have been backed by Harvard statin expert Dr John Abramson, former president of the Royal College of Physicians, Sir Richard Thompson, and president of the international society for vascular surgery Professor Sherif Sultan.
Around seven million adults in the UK take statins to reduce their heart risk.
They reduce high levels of blood cholesterol, which is known to contribute to the stiffening and narrowing of arteries.
The Lancet study, conducted by Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and analysed data stretching back 20 years.
Researchers found just two per cent of patients suffer any side effects.
It is not the first time The Lancet’s findings have been called into doubt.
Another leading medical journal, The BMJ, wants the nation’s top doctor to launch an independent inquiry into statins.
But experts from the British Heart Foundation said the pills are safe.
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director at the BHF, said the latest claims “risk confusing patients”.
He said: “The evidence from numerous independent clinical trials going back more than two decades shows that statins are an effective way of people reducing their risk of a heart attack.
"The benefits are even greater for those who have already suffered a serious cardiovascular event.”
Drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says up to 17 million Brits would benefit from taking the medication.
Prof Mark Baker, from Nice, last night said statins were a matter of personal choice.
He said: “Our guidance on the risk assessment and reduction of heart disease and strokes, including lipid modification, is based on the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the use of statins, even in people at relatively low risk.”