Over-the-counter statins
The Department of Health has accepted recommendations from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) that simvastatin should be available to buy without prescription.
The CSM believes the potential benefits of such statins - which save up to 7,000 lives a year - greatly outweigh any possible risk.
Health secretary John Reid said: 'By extending access to this drug we are giving people more choice about how they protect their health. We are committed to extending choice whenever advised it is safe to do so.
'This move will also give pharmacists a greater role in helping people to stay healthy - allowing them to fulfil their full potential in offering health advice and treatment.
'Coronary heart disease kills more than 110,000 people in England every year. It is the country's single biggest killer. By lowering cholesterol levels, statins can reduce heart attacks by as much as one third after three years of taking the drug.'
Sales of 10mg dose packs start this summer. Pharmacists will question potential buyers and offer various health tests before deciding whether to sell. Prices will be determined by pharmaceutical companies.
Premature death rates from heart disease and strokes have been cut by nearly a quarter over the past five years and are on target to reach a 40 per cent reduction by 2010.
You can find further information on CHD/statins at
