15 June 2016 - A new pill designed to reduce the devastating toll of heart disease and stroke in Australia and around the world received a $4.5 million boost today.

The polypill, a four-in-one tablet, is a major step closer to becoming reality with the announcement that The George Institute for Global Health and Bupa Australia have joined forces to develop the medication, through a joint venture called SmartGenRx.

Heart disease and stroke are the country’s biggest killers, and there are an estimated one million Australians at high risk who do not receive recommended preventive treatments long-term.

Research has shown, however, that patients who have suffered a stroke or heart attack are 40 per cent more likely to stick to their treatments if they take just one pill – a polypill – instead of four different tablets each day.2

Trials have consistently shown that polypills reduce both blood pressure and cholesterol, to levels that could halve the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Principal Director of The George Institute for Global Health, Stephen McMahon, said the partnership with Bupa Australia could save millions of lives around the world.

For more details, go to: http://www.bupa.com.au/about-us/media-centre/media-releases/ci.new-pill-to-tackle-aus-number-one-killer.7030news