In February, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published draft guidelines asking to extend the use of statins to save more lives. Already seven million people are taking statins and as per the new guidelines, another five million people in England and Wales could start regular dosage of statins.

Experts have written a letter to NICE and ministers saying the proposal of extending the use of statins should be scrapped. Experts said the draft is heavily dependent on industry-sponsored trials that underestimate its side effects.

The drug reduces cholesterol level in the blood and lowers the chance of heart attack or stroke. The letter sent to NICE and ministers, is from Royal College of Physicians president Sir Richard Thompson, former Royal College of GPs chairwoman Clare Gerada, leading cardiologists and academics.

While talking about its side effects, Prof. Simon Capewell at Liverpool University and one of the signatories said, "The recent statin recommendations are deeply worrying, effectively condemning all middle-aged adults to lifelong medications of questionable value".

Currently, doctors prescribe statins to around seven million people who have 20% chance of developing disease over 10 years. Factors considered before prescribing them statins include age, sex, smoking and drinking habit and weight.

As per the draft guidelines, people having even 10% chance of developing the disease should be given statins. Around £450m a year is spent years on statins by the NHS. If the draft guidelines come into action then the bill would increases a lot.

There are people who are in the favor of the NICE draft guidelines. One of them is Mike Knapton, of the British Heart Foundation, said NICE has done right by suggesting extension in the use of statins. Knapton said evidences show statins are safe, effective and proven to reduce the risk of heart disease.