British “polypill” may be miracle drug for those over 50

Polypill is said to be a cure-all for those over 50, according to a new study.

The four-in-one polypill is said to cut cholesterol and lower blood pressure, thereby preventing heart attacks and strokes.

According to Reuters, the pill contains three blood pressure lowering medicines and a statin for lowering cholesterol.

British researchers found that in a randomized trial of people over 50, volunteers had a 12 percent reduction in blood pressure and a 39 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol, said Science Codex.

"The health implications of our results are large,” said principal investigator of the trial,
 Dr David Wald of Queen Mary University of London, according to the Evening Standard.

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“If people took the Polypill from age 50, an estimated 28 percent would benefit by avoiding or delaying a heart attack or stroke during their lifetime; on average, those who benefit would gain 11 years of life without a heart attack or stroke."

The polypill concept has been touted for nearly a decade, reported Reuters, yet it has yet to land on store shelves due to regulatory issues and lack of interest from drugmakers.

Big pharma companies have not been keen on the pill, instead more interested in selling newly patented medicines rather than an all-in-one.

The findings of the trial were published in the journal PLoS One.