It is big business for sure.  You are wise to read the data yourself.  I recognize your point.

@DrDr - therapy can still be useful without mortality benefit - it is still important if clinical events are reduced such as heart attack and strokes - its hard to see mortality benefits in fairly healthy populations, but secondary prevention, such as after heart bypass surgery, is a much stronger effect

I don't want to be seen as an apologist for big pharma but I do think we have to be careful not send a message that statins are not beneficial - in the right patient at the right time they can be