Implementing Fixed Dose Combination Medications for the Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Highlights: Despite clinical evidence of its effectiveness in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, uptake of fixed dose combination therapy (FDCs) for CVD has been poor. A symposium was held bringing together stakeholders on this issue, including from academia, government and NGOs. The conclusion made was that what is now needed to improve implementation of FDCs is country-specific health systems analyses to design appropriate implementation strategies. Implementation strategies must look beyond listing on the WHO Essential Medicines List to consider approaches to improving FDC availability, accessibility, affordability, and adherence. Strategies might include incorporation of FDCs into the WHO HEARTS technical package, simplified treatment and monitoring algorithms, decentralisation of medicine dispensing and task-sharing for treatment management.

Keywords

• cardiovascular prevention
• polypills
• hypertension
• public health
• combination therapy