POLYPILL ONE-DAY UPDATE MEETING HELD IN NEW YORK

Valentin Fuster, Scientific President of the Spanish Centre for Cardiovascular Research and Head of clinical and research cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, in the United States, chaired a meeting of 20 scientists and corporate representatives for the purpose of sharing information on the various initiatives to develop a polypill.

The meeting took place on 22 September 2007 in New York. Dr Fuster is immediate Past President of the World Heart Federation. A polypill is a fixed dose combination of generic drugs for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

“As we advocate to move from treatment to prevention, research and development of the polypill is crucial,” Dr. Fuster said. He further recommended that all participants should continue to pursue their efforts to develop a polypill.

Current treatment usually involves treating one cardiovascular problem with at least two drugs. Future treatment would involve treating a group of cardiovascular problems with one pill containing multiple drugs. Current research efforts are testing combinations of three to four drugs. Versions using generic statins, antihypertensives and aspirin are being developed for use in such countries as India.
 
Critics fear that a polypill would create a false sense of security, causing individuals to forego lifestyle and behavior modifications to prevent cardiovascular disease. It was agreed by all that the use of a polypill would be in combination with individual education regarding, diet, nutrition, physical activity and no tobacco use.
 
Most current research focuses on the use of a polypill for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. However, future research will most likely target use for primary prevention in populations where individuals are at high risk because of increasingly urbanized lifestyles and greater age but are currently without overt health problems.

Current estimates are that one month’s treatment with a polypill could cost as little as US$ 2 per person.