In June of this year, the British Medical Journal reported that a group of scientists and doctors are proposing a once-a-day pill for the over 55 year old that could prevent heart attacks and strokes by upwards of 80%.
The Polypill, a combination of six different drugs including aspirin, a cholesterol lowering drug, folic acid and small doses of 3 blood pressure lowering drugs are to counter the ill effects of the Western lifestyle. Professor Wald, Malcolm Law and others from the Wolfson Institute of preventative medicine in London, believe that taking such a pill would give about a third of the over 55s an average 11 extra years of life free from strokes and heart attacks.
But, is the idea of taking a pill to counter our bad habits a good idea? Many people are not taking enough exercise, not eating a poor diet, not ingesting enough fiber but eating too much fat. On top of this people are still smoking, all the things that we know make a major contribution to stroke and heart attacks. By taking a pill of this type do we give up responsibility for our lifestyles and instead medicalise yet another facet of our lives?
Side effects
Side effects from taking the Polypill are considered to be low, depending on the doses administered, and will probably only affect about 15% of patients. It is known that aspirin can cause stomach bleeding and beta blockers (to reduce blood pressure) can cause fatigue. Patients taking other medications would need to find out from their doctor if they were compatible.
So, when should the Polypill be available? Well, it may take quite a long time. All the drugs that would be contained in the Polypill are cheap and out of patent so the big pharmaceutical companies are not interested. It would seem the potential to make steady money from the venture, if the results were as good as predicted, would only work if we were all sold on the idea of preventative medicine being better used to correct our lifestyle than by treating illnesses that result from them!
Commentary
Dear Dr. Kennard,
In June, media across America including About.com carried headlines about amulti-drug "polypill" that British researchers claim will cut heart attacksby 80 percent.
