Update on the Polypill

Slowly but surely the development of the polypill moves forward. This project, you will recall, involves the concept that one pill could combine the drugs necessary to prevent or postpone the cardiovascular diseases of civilization – all largely caused by atherosclerosis. We reported in February 2007 that a clinical study was imminent in India with a polypill containing aspirin, an ACE inhibitor, a statin, and a beta-blocking drug. Now there’s news that a clinical trial is about to begin in Argentina with a variant containing 3 components – aspirin, an ACE inhibitor, and a statin. If the results of this study are positive (i.e. the efficacy and safety of the combination are confirmed) it is planned to introduce the polypill in Spain and Latin America, initially, at a cost of about $10 per month.

At present, there’s no news of any attempt to develop a polypill for the USA – I guess we’re expected to be able to afford the 3 or 4 separate components required without difficulty, and taking 3-4 pills a day doesn’t present quite the same compliance problems for US citizenry. In the UK , however, where the idea was first mooted, an Indian-manufactured polypill could be available commercially in about 2 years.