Dive Brief:
- The polypill combines aspirin, a statin, and one or more blood pressure pills. The indication under consideration is for secondary prevention after a myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke.
- The FDA's Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee consulted with several high-profile cardiology opinion leaders during the evaluation, including Sir Nicholas Wald and Clyde Young.
- The committee will eventually discuss use of the polypill for primary prevention of a cardiovascular event.
Dive Insight:
As the current thinking goes, it makes the most sense for people have already had an MI or stroke -- but do not have access to carefully monitored follow-up care -- to take the polypill.
The polypill could be a solid resource for patients who are at the most risk for recurrence. However, experts emphatically contend that the polypill is not better than standard of care.