28 June 2016
Decisions on Statins Must be Made Between Doctors and Patients, Says RCGP
Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the RCGP, responds to BMJ paper on statins controversy and says patients shouldn't stop taking medication out of fear of reports.
Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It goes without saying that when an issue receives media attention, and the way things are reported in the media, it will impact on people’s opinions and behaviour – and this can influence the decisions they make about their health.
“Whatever the debate in the media – and amongst healthcare professionals - about the potential health risks of statins, or any other medication, it’s essential that patients don’t make any unilateral decisions to stop taking medicines that have been prescribed by their family doctor out of fear of these reports.
“It’s important is that any decision to prescribe, or stop prescribing, statins – for whatever reason – are the result of a discussion between GPs and individual patients about their unique circumstances and how to achieve the best possible health outcome.
“Prescribing statins will not be a decision taken lightly, and it is important that patients who are prescribed them undertake regular medication reviews, and that they use this opportunity to raise any concerns they may have.”
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7581
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.