Researchers have warned that millions of Britons take cholesterol-lowering pills and they might suffer from depression and memory loss.

Researchers further added that about the amount of harm posed by statins, not much is known and statins are taken by people to avoid strokes and heart problems.

If any potential risk is outweighed by the drug, only then the drug should be taken, leading doctors state this.

Reports state that on in three people who are more than 40 years of age take the statins making it to about more than seven million people in Britain.

Statins are taken because cholesterol comes down as it is responsible for strokes and heart attacks as arteries are clogged up by the fatty substance in the blood.

If people over the age of 45 have blood pressure on the higher side, they are immediately put on statins by their GPs.

Without any prescription, the low-dose pills are purchased over the counter. In addition low-dose pills are increasingly bought over the counter without a prescription.

Every year statins save about 10,000 lives and are very effective.