Film Synopsis:
Millions of people around the world are currently taking medications to lower their cholesterol. In England alone, around 7 million people are taking cholesterol-lowering statins in the hope of reducing their risk of a heart attack. But an increasing number of doctors and researchers are questioning the supposed link between cholesterol and heart disease.
At the same time, many people are concerned about the mass prescription of medications. In particular, prescribing medications to people who are, for the most part, perfectly healthy.
In this film we are going to ask if the facts about cholesterol and heart disease have been distorted by pharmaceutical companies keen to increase their profits, and if our health authorities are doing their job to protect us from these commercial interests.
29 billion dollars is a conservative estimate of the current value of the cholesterol-lowering industry.
29 billion pounds is what cardiovascular disease costs the UK economy each year.
If the focus on cholesterol has been a mistake, then the greatest cost is associated with the lost opportunity to tackle heart disease.
Writer & Producer: Justin Smith
Director: Stephen Ellis