With these studies came a greater awareness among doctors and the public that you didn't have to be months away from a heart attack to reap the benefits of statins. As a result these drugs are now in big demand, with about 9.6 million statin scripts issued in Australia in 1999-2000. Professor Paul Nestel, head of cardiovascular nutrition at the Baker Medical Research Institute and a heart specialist at the Alfred Hospital, said the use of statins had jumped dramatically in recent years as medical trials showed they significantly reduced mortality, heart attacks and stroke.
Statins are the most widely used cholesterol medications.
Most research shows statins can reduce LDL levels by 25 to 60 per cent. Before statins were available, diet, exercise and other cholesterol-lowering drugs lowered LDLs by about 10 per cent. Last year simvastatin was the second most prescribed Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme drug in Australia. Atorvastatin was third and pravastatin came in at number 27. The Age Company Ltd 2001.