The pill pilot trial, led by the Clinical Trials Research Unit of the University of Auckland, is testing a ‘polypill’, a single pill combining four drugs that reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
The trial will include 400 people from New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, India, Holland, the UK and USA.
“Cardiovascular risk is measured through a combination of factors, including cholesterol and blood pressure, smoking, family history and being overweight,” says professor Anthony Rodgers, the lead investigator for the New Zealand trial.
“The trial will test whether we can identify patients with increased risk early, and safely reduce the risk factors with a single, once a day tablet.”
The 12-week trial will assess the tolerability of the pill and its effects on blood pressure and cholesterol. The study is looking for volunteers who are not at present taking associated types of medication.
