KDKA-TV: Advisory panel recommends Crestor approval for people with normal cholesterol

A panel of advisers to the FDA is recommending that the government agency approve the cholesterol lowering drug, Crestor, for people with normal cholesterol. 

A study from last year shows a 44 percent reduction in heart problems, even in people with normal cholesterol but high C-reactive protein - a blood test marker for inflammation.

Inflammation plays a role in heart attack.

"C-reactive protein actually doesn't cause the heart attack or a stroke, it's just an indicator someone is at risk," says Dr. Tony Farah, a cardiologist at Allegheny General Hospital. "It so happens that Crestor, which was used in this trial, does reduce C-reactive protein; so in a sense, the indication is that it reduces the level of inflammation as well."

With the drug, there's also a 27 percent higher rate of diabetes, something that's not unusual with this class of drugs, called statins.

The 12 panelists voting in favor say the benefits outweigh the risks. The four voting against say they aren't comfortable recommending a drug with risks to seemingly healthy patients.

That's seemingly because a high C-reactive protein points to a problem.

To read more, visit the KDKA-TV web site.