A groundbreaking cardiovascular polypill that combines three medications in one pill has been included in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. This unique polypill, designed for individuals who have experienced a previous heart attack or heart-related event, aims to prevent a recurrence. It took 15 years of intensive study and multiple iterations to develop this innovative medication.
The List of Essential Medicines includes medications that address the population’s critical healthcare needs and can save lives, improve health, and reduce suffering, according to the WHO. The incorporation of this therapeutic solution signifies a significant change in medicine and its potential to reduce the risk of recurrent disease and cardiovascular death, as stated by Valentin Fuster, M.D., PhD, president of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital.
This cardiovascular polypill has the endorsement of the WHO because it meets the criteria of relevance to public health, disease prevalence, clinical efficacy and safety, and comparative costs and cost-effectiveness. It signifies a positive impact on society and is an important step in the mission to provide significant value to cardiovascular disease patients.
The polypill comprises three commonly used medications for patients after their first heart attack: acetylsalicylic acid, which acts as a blood thinner to prevent blood clots; ramipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that lowers blood pressure, and atorvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug. The SECURE trial, led by Fuster and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated the polypill’s effectiveness in preventing secondary adverse cardiovascular events and reducing cardiovascular mortality by 33% for patients with a history of heart attacks.
Compliance with medication regimens is crucial for effective secondary prevention after a heart attack. The convenience of the polypill, which combines three essential treatments into one, significantly improves adherence and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Research conducted by Fuster’s team confirmed that the polypill was as effective as the separate pill regimen commonly prescribed.
This polypill, sold under various brand names depending on the country, has already been commercialized in 25 countries. However, it has not yet received clearance from the FDA for use in the United States. Nonetheless, since the publication of the groundbreaking study, polypill usage has increased worldwide, and there is anticipation for its availability in the U.S. and other countries where it is not yet accessible.
In conclusion, the inclusion of the cardiovascular polypill in the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines marks a significant advance in medicine’s approach to preventing recurrent heart disease. Its potential to save lives, improve health, and decrease suffering reaffirms its value in treating patients who have already experienced a heart attack. The convenience and adherence benefits of the polypill offer a promising solution for individuals at risk of cardiovascular events.
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