Statins: Millions more to get drugs in controversial plans

Doctors have been told to offer cholesterol-lowering statins to millions more people in a massive and controversial expansion in prescribing.

Four in 10 adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now eligible for statins, even though many are at low risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The medicines regulator, NICE, says it will save lives.

There has been vocal opposition to the plans, and doctors' leaders said they had no confidence in the decision.

But all sides of the debate say people who are already taking statins should continue to take their medication.

Major issue

Cardiovascular disease - which includes heart attacks and strokes - is the UK's biggest killer.

It claims 180,000 lives a year and is behind one in three deaths.

Statins reduce the build-up of fatty-plaques that lead to blockages in blood vessels.

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