Atorvastatin (Lipitor®, Pfizer) has been approved by the US FDA for the prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing MI risk in people with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol levels who have other cardiovascular risk factors.
The FDA's decision was based on the findings of the ASCOT trial (Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial), which found that atorvastatin 10 mg reduced the relative risk of heart attack by 36% compared to placebo.
Reference
'FDA approves Pfizer's Lipitor® to lower risk of heart attacks', Pfizer press release, 4th August 2004.
Press release