Statin drugs to be handed out with fast food?

Statin drugs should be handed out at fast food outlets, researchers from Imperial College London (ICL) have suggested.

While these pills are proven to lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels, they do not prevent obesity or aid those trying to find the best way to lose weight.

Senior author of the study Dr Darrel Francis and his colleagues from ICL calculate that one statin can reduce cardiovascular risk at the same level that eating a cheeseburger and a milkshake increases it.

"It's ironic that people are free to take as many unhealthy condiments in fast food outlets as they like, but statins, which are beneficial to heart health, have to be prescribed," Dr Francis said.

One form of statin, simvastatin, is available in low doses (10mg) over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription, but others have to be prescribed by doctors.

Earlier this month, Linda Main, dietetic advisor for the charity Heart UK, said that people can reduce their cholesterol by adopting a healthy diet that includes a lot of oily fish.

What do you think of the suggestion made by the researchers at ICL?