If big pharm were as evil as you think, why would they wait until after it was off patent to make up this story?
For the same reason they [Pfizer] are offering Lipitor for $4/month to ‘qualified’ buyers - maintain market share in the face of competition from the generics. I’m not sure ‘evil’ is the correct term - how about ‘ethically obtuse’?
My teaching doctor put me on lovastatin about 20 years ago. This was after Scandinavian studies showed great promise; since then, statins are also showing great promise in stroke-prevention in arteries feeding the brain and delaying any onset of Alzheimers. Although switching between three different statins—including Lipitor, Pravachol, and Mevacor—I never contracted the flu during those 20 years: my few "colds" last only hours!
Now that I'm approaching 70, I'd previously credited hours of natural Florida sunlight—over a period of a decade and a half—for my excellent health history. Perhaps it's a combination of both extra sun (Science News article that appeared here) and statins.