> - It has zero to negative efficacy, at least for the for the vast majority of people taking it, and virtually no efficacy for the rest.
Citations? This is a pretty big claim for a FDA-approved drug that was the most profitable drug on the market as of 2011[1].
> - You can get generics that are equally 'effective' for virtually free.
As of last year, yeah, this is a fairly recent development that if you don't follow pharma, you'd be unlikely to know.
> - It's vastly less effective than even the most minimal of lifestyle interventions.
Generally statins are prescribed in combination with recommendations of dietary restriction.
> - If for some reason you really wanted to take those chemicals, you could just get them for free in your diet anyway. E.g. from red rice and I think certain other fungi.
You're thinking of a different active ingredient, monacolin K, which is also sold in pill form (Lovastatin[2]) and found in red yeast rice and oyster mushrooms. A quick literature search found Lipitor to be more efficacious[3] (Double blinded, placebo controlled, n = 1049).
Keep in mind that, as with all drugs, both are dose-dependent and have unpleasant side-effects when taken in combination with certain drugs, foods, and certain patient populations, such as pregnant women and those with liver disease. Hence why it's recommended to check with a doctor who is well versed in this matter, rather than self-prescribing at unknown dosages.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_drug#Leading_bl...