2006/002 NICE guidance on the use of statins set to benefit millions of adults

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (25 January 2006) issued guidance to the NHS in England and Wales on the use of statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults and for the treatment of adults with established CVD. The guidance, which is set to benefit millions of adults in England and Wales, recommends that statins be used either where there is clinical evidence of an individual having CVD, or where the risk of an individual developing CVD within 10 years is estimated to be 20% or greater.