People at risk of heart disease and stroke will have increased access to cholesterol-lowering drugs from October 1, federal Health Minister Tony Abbott has announced.
The drugs will be available to people with a family history of the conditions or with diabetes complications, regardless of their cholesterol levels.
Higher risk patients will be able to access the drugs immediately but will have to maintain a good diet as part of their eligibility.
The drugs will become more available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to about 250,000 patients.
The scheme is expected to cost about $150 million over four years.
Cardiovascular disease is Australia's biggest health problem and leading cause of death, affecting 3.7 million people in 2003 and causing more than 38 per cent of all deaths, Mr Abbott said in a statement.
Rising blood-cholesterol levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes is a further concern because it magnifies the effect of elevated cholesterol and other risk factors.
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