They shove the liver to a new risk level. Enzymes have to be monitored on a regular basis.
True. On the other hand, studies show that statins reduce the risk of stroke and may reduce the risk of colon and other forms of cancer by over 30%. Just like aspirin, statins seem to have many unintended consequences, both positive and negative.
Yes, and we do not know the long term consequences of shutting off a couple of the metabolic pathways. So far there has been no statistical correlation between taking statins and actual increases in longevity, and some Lipitor ads carry that disclaimer.
The only "fact" in all this is the very high price of a very simple compound that a freshman Chem major could make in a dorm room.
So, not only will the drug companies benefit, the labs will also, due both to an increased number of patients on statins, as well as more people being checked for cholesterol problems.