The World Health Organization's list of essential medications now includes a heart polypill after a study led by a Mount Sinai researcher found the drug reduced cardiovascular mortality by 33 percent.
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, president of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, said the trial was the first to show a therapy could prevent secondary adverse cardiovascular events in people who have previously had a heart attack, according to a news release.
The pill, which is approved in 25 countries but not the U.S., is composed of three active ingredients: acetylsalicylic acid, atorvastatin and ramipril. Its maker has submitted a drug approval application to the FDA.