Heart disease is a big problem in Scotland

Professor James Shepherd, from Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said the use of drugs known as statins will change the face of preventive cardiology.

He also said it was the only way to go for GPs restrained by tight budgets.

But he has urged pharmacists to carry out checks into factors such as smoking, obesity and blood pressure.

The UK will be the first country in the world to make simvastatin, the most widely-used cholesterol-lowering drug, available without prescription.

Over-the-counter statins are the only way to go for doctors restrained by budgets and will change the face of preventive cardiology Professor James Shepherd

However, many cardiologists are worried because there have been no trials of using drugs in this way to prevent heart disease.

Those at high risk would be referred to their GP.

But Professor Shepherd also cautions that the treatment is not a cure for heart disease, adding that it was still important for people not to smoke, to take regular exercise, keep their weight in check and cut down on fatty foods.

The professor is raising the issue at the BioScience2004 conference in Glasgow on Monday.

He said: "Over-the-counter statins are the only way to go for doctors restrained by budgets and will change the face of preventive cardiology."

Major killer

He added: "The recent discovery of a new drug called ezetimibe appears to be a very effective alternative for people at high risk of a heart attack but whose cholesterol is not adequately lowered by statins.

"Statins work by preventing the body making cholesterol, whereas ezetimibe blocks cholesterol absorption."

Professor Shepherd said combining the two therapies "takes us into realms of cholesterol-lowering capability that we could not have dreamed of a decade ago".