Analysis: 'We shouldn't forget that statins can be very beneficial'

I think most GPs would take the line that has been put forward in this research - that we only treat people with a "secondary prevention" reason, which means that they are smokers, have a family history of heart disease, or high blood pressure.

There has always been an argument about primary prevention and whether it is a good use of resources.

We would not prescribe statins without doing an investigation. We look into the person's family history, checking their blood pressure, finding out if they are a smoker or a diabetic. We then work out what their risk factor is over the next ten to 15 years. Pharmaceutical companies have always pushed that statins are a benefit for people with heart disease and have even suggested that everyone should be on them. But we have never followed that line.

Statins are even available over the counter now, in low doses.

It is quite common to have side effects from statins. But a lot of people who are diagnosed them because of cholesterol reasons do end up tolerating the side effects. I don't think people who are taking statins - but feel they maybe don't need to be on them - need to rush to stop taking them.

What we shouldn't forget is that statins can be very beneficial. They are not the wonder drug, but we have seen a huge drop in the number of people suffering heart attacks and strokes in Scotland since they came in.

• Dr Dean Marshall is chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee in Scotland.