Dr Bosetti said there was some evidence suggesting cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may help protect against prostate cancer.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Prostate cancer cholesterol link

To keep perspective, the fact that other cholesterol-lowering statin drugs like Lipitor and Crestor are more potent probably factored into this decision if the top dose of Zocor were the only option, the FDA might have kept it.

FORBES: The Scary Thing About the FDA's Simvastatin Decision

The researchers aim to recruit 150 women under the age of 70 with type 2 diabetes who have not had a period for at least a year, and who have been taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs for at least 12 months.

BBC: Chocolate 'may cut diabetes risk'

Ultimately, cardiologists hope to create a powerful new triple-threat cocktail combining today's statin drugs for lowering bad cholesterol (like Lipitor) with new compounds to boost good cholesterol and other drugs that would directly reduce vessel-wall inflammation.

FORBES: Attacking Heart Attacks

Another explanation is that Baigent and his colleagues have been the fiercest proponents of the idea that statin drugs work solely by lowering cholesterol.

FORBES: Finally, A Win For Vytorin

Zetia is approved for lowering cholesterol, but there is no evidence it prevents heart attacks and saves lives like the statin drugs, including Lipitor and Zocor.

FORBES: Magazine Article