250,000 Less Heart Attacks Means More Statins

It will be interesting to see how the results of a recent study impact medicine and prescription use. The study involving 18,000 patients showed that those using Crestor compared to a placebo had:

• 54% fewer heart attacks
• 48% fewer strokes
• 46% angioplasties
• 20% fewer deaths

The study volunteers had normal cholesterol but high blood levels of C-reactive protein.

1. Will physicians prescribe more statins?
2. Will national standards be changed to recommend statins for everyone with high levels of C-reactive protein?
3. Do cheaper statins like generic Zocor have the same effect as Crestor?