Affordable, essential medicines

Access to essential medicines varies greatly worldwide and is strongly driven by wealth of the nation and the individual. Global surveys of people with heart disease and stroke have shown that the majority of the world’s poor are not receiving any guideline recommended medicines at all.

One strategy we are testing is a large program of work looking at low-cost combination polypills. One study in Sri Lanka looked at a new low dose three in one pill to treat hypertension.

Such strategies could transform the way high blood pressure is treated around the world.

The George Institute is looking at strategies to maximise uptake of this innovation, including examining the acceptability of the Triple Pill approach with patients and their doctors, as well as cost-effectiveness which will be important for governments and other payers to consider.