STUMBLE UPON

The Next Statin Scam: Preventing Strokes

Funny how, not too long after lawsuits against Lipitor surfaced, a new study -- funded by Pfizer -- appears in this week's New England Journal of Medicine that shows how statin drugs may prevent the incidence of a stroke.
The study tracked more than 4,700 patients treated mostly for ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks, and almost all of them were taking a useless drug like aspirin for blood clotting.
Although there was virtually no difference in the mortality rate between patients who did or didn't take Lipitor after a stroke, patients without a history of heart disease reduced their risks of a second stroke by 16 percent.
Considering studies funded by drug companies, more often than not, favor the drug being tested it should come as no surprise Pfizer found a silver lining in this study to keep the attention off future legal battles that could detract from the reputation of its prized cash cow on track to make $13 billion in 2006.
Fact is, taking a fish oil chock full of omega-3 fats can do more for your cholesterol and your heart than taking a drug like Lipitor that can harm your immune system.

New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 355, No. 6, August 10, 2006: 549-559

Yahoo News August 9, 2006