CMSP's Cool Image of the Day

Polypill could become a reality in 5 years.

The Polypill has been hailed as the magic bullet to heart problems. A cheap five-in-one pill can guard against heart attacks and stroke, research suggests.
A trial in India shows such a pill has the desired effects and is safe and well-tolerated by those who take it.

The polypill used in the latest study combines five active pharmacological ingredients widely available separately - aspirin, a statin to lower cholesterol and three blood pressure-lowering drugs including an ACE inhibitor, Diuretic and a Beta-blocker - as well as folic acid.

Folic acid is used to reduce the level of homocysteine in the blood which is another risk factor for heart disease

The researchers believe that the combined action of all the components in their "Polycap" capsule made by Cadila Pharmaceuticals, could potentially halve strokes and heart attacks in average, middle-aged people. On a global scale, this would save tens of millions of lives.

Researchers in the UK have been testing a four-in-one Ppolypill called the Red Heart Pill, with the backing of the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation, which could cost as little as $20 per person per year.

One researcher said it would be at least five years before there was enough data to convince drug regulators to approve a polypill.

So sit back on the couch, have a milk shake and a steak and hope the FDA approves the PolyPill before all your arteries clog up on their own.

Custom Medical Stock Photo has a huge collection of heart and pharmaceutical images available for license. Contact CMSP via email at research@cmsp.com or phone 773-267-3100.