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'''Statins''' are [[cholesterol]]-reducing drugs. The widespread opinion is that statins are among the most successful drugs ever developed, and that they have prevented millions of strokes and heart attacks. This opinion is debatable.

'''Statins''' are [[cholesterol]]-reducing drugs. The widespread opinion is that statins are among the most successful drugs ever developed, and that they have prevented millions of strokes and heart attacks. This opinion is debatable.

==THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

==The statin controversy==

Very few reliable, non-controversial statements about statins can be made, so the least biased way of presenting here the current state of knowledge about statins, is presenting opposing information in an adversarial way; here are some representative examples of the published information on statins:

Very few reliable, non-controversial statements about statins can be made, so the least biased way of presenting here the current state of knowledge about statins, is presenting opposing information in an adversarial way; here are some representative examples of the published information on statins:

The paragraphs presented above are just typical examples of opinions expressed in thousands of articles published on the subject of statins.

The paragraphs presented above are just typical examples of opinions expressed in thousands of articles published on the subject of statins.

==THE CAUSES OF THE CONTROVERSY==

==The causes of the controversy==

The use of statins is highly controversial, which has roots in the controversy about [[atherosclerosis]] and about [[cholesterol]] whom statins supposedly suppress. It is true that [[atherosclerosis]] is a real medical problem, and it is also true that the imperative to use statins was unjustifiably imposed on US government, on American doctors and on American public, without prior scientific proof (see article [[Cholesterol]]).

The use of statins is highly controversial, which has roots in the controversy about [[atherosclerosis]] and about [[cholesterol]] whom statins supposedly suppress. It is true that [[atherosclerosis]] is a real medical problem, and it is also true that the imperative to use statins was unjustifiably imposed on US government, on American doctors and on American public, without prior scientific proof (see article [[Cholesterol]]).

Scientists can disagree about theories and their interpretations, but not about facts. If they do, something is wrong. Overall, this situation is disgraceful, deplorable and unacceptable. In view of the link of the academy to the huge money of the industry, this situation reflects the degree of corruption of a large part of medical research. It must not be overlooked that in this money-and-career game, the health and the even lives of millions of people are disregarded and/or harmed.

Scientists can disagree about theories and their interpretations, but not about facts. If they do, something is wrong. Overall, this situation is disgraceful, deplorable and unacceptable. In view of the link of the academy to the huge money of the industry, this situation reflects the degree of corruption of a large part of medical research. It must not be overlooked that in this money-and-career game, the health and the even lives of millions of people are disregarded and/or harmed.

==A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION OF THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

==A possible resolution of the statin controversy==

The controversy is so strong, it has been lasting for so long time, and the question is so important, that Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization whose objectivity has never been questioned, has stepped in and issued their report,<ref>Evaluating statin drugs to treat: high cholesterol and heart disease, comparing effectiveness, safety and price. [http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/statins.htm Consumer Reports on statins]</ref> which provides a balanced and cautious, yet encouraging guidance: who should use statins, what kind of statins, and how much that will cost. That paper consists of several forms of the report, ranging from a full report, down to a simplistic summary.

The controversy is so strong, it has been lasting for so long time, and the question is so important, that Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization whose objectivity has never been questioned, has stepped in and issued their report,<ref>Evaluating statin drugs to treat: high cholesterol and heart disease, comparing effectiveness, safety and price. [http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/statins.htm Consumer Reports on statins]</ref> which provides a balanced and cautious, yet encouraging guidance: who should use statins, what kind of statins, and how much that will cost. That paper consists of several forms of the report, ranging from a full report, down to a simplistic summary.