Why would doctor prescribe red rice yeast?

For Cholesterol: Some people have some luck reducing their cholesterol levels with red yeast rice supplements. Some don't. It's not a real replacement for prescription meds, so be sure you get the cholesterol checked regularly. Otherwise you'll never know if it's working.

Red yeast rice: Red yeast rice contains monacolin k -- also known as lovastatin, the active ingredient in the lipid lowering drug mevacor. It's a puzzle: red yeast rice is a traditional remedy that helps lower cholesterol. But, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Mevacor argues that it owns the rights to the ingredient lovastatin. Your insurer will probably cover mevacor, but not red yeast rice. :-).