EAST Lancashire doctors are among the best in the North West for prescribing low-cost life-saving drugs.

New figures from the NHS put Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust top in the region and 14th best in the country for prescribing cholestrol busting drugs statins which prevent heart attacks and strokes.

And the East Lancashire PCT, which covers the five boroughs of Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, has also made the increased use of statins a priority as part of a major drive to reduce health inequalities.

Blackburn GP Dr Malcolm Ridgeway urged everyone to get checked to find out if they are at risk.

Until two years ago all statins were brand named and cost up to £30 per prescription.

But now two types are available generically at just £2 to £3 each.

Dr Ridgeway, of Roman Road Surgery, Higher Croft, said: "If someone has already had a heart attack, statins can help prevent another one and they can stop anyone deemed to be at risk from having a heart attack or stroke.

"The cheaper drugs are just as effective, the only difference is that they have been around longer so their patent has expired meaning they can be made by anyone much cheaper.

"By prescribing these to most people we can save money and make sure everyone who needs them gets them.

"What we want now is to make sure we are targeting everyone.

"People past their late thirties or forties, especially if they have a family history of problems, should visit their doctor to be screened so we can keep an eye on the problem and prescribe statins later if they are needed."

East Lancs PCT's Public Health Director Dr Ellis Friedman said they could report early progress in their efforts to bring down the incidence of heart disease. Dr Friedman said: "Our medicine management team is achieving a far more cost-effective use of statins, along with our partner PCT in Blackburn with Darwen.

"The team has taken advantage of the availaibily of statins whose patents have ended.

"Secondly, we are working out just what proportion of our 382,000 population is likely to be at risk from potential heart disease, using the latest and most sophisticated modelling techniques.

"We will then compare this with the actual number being treated at present and then work on identifying the additional at risk' patients.

"We want to identify all those patients who are at high risk, with the aim of assessing them and treating them accordingly.

"This programme is set to be rolled out in full later this year.

"We have made it one of our top three targets to reduce health inqualities."