Medical journals have moved away from case reports toward accounts of research studies, particularly randomized trials and epidemiologic studies, and statisticians have become central to medical journals and medical practice. They have played an important part in the move from opinion to evidence-based medicine. The author is Editor of the British Medical Journal and describes the contributions of statisticians to that journal's reviewing process: they are included in the team taking the final decision on whether to publish a paper. The article contains recommendations for policy on statistical review.