Lots in media today re statins

express.co.uk/news/health/4...

[Aliwally]

I was interested in the article in the Express about the conflicts of interest of the NICE guidelines. NICE says that the conflicts have been "managed appropriately" and that they "have not influenced the draft recommendations".

I'm not sure what this means exactly or where you draw the line between what is acceptable and what isn't.

I am thinking particularly of the lipid nurse whose post is funded by a drug company and was given funds to attend a conference (doesn't say whether it was the HEART UK one!). Is this OK because she is doing an important job and acceptable because she needs to have professional development? I would like clarification.

[ursa]

In their defence, they will say that it gives a full list of possible side effects on the accompanying leaflets; how many people actually do read all that is stated on those leaflets?

I was never told by my GP that there may be side effects, I think that this is something that should always happen.