The Multi‐drug Polypill to Reduce Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Events

question 1

Multiple Choice

The multi‐drug polypill to reduce primary and secondary cardiovascular events (CHD and stroke) , is mentioned in the text as a possible simple, safe and cheap preventive.
Early trials suggest it can improve compliance in patients already taking a number of
Its component drugs separately; and it is expected there will be results within a year
On whether it is effective in reducing blood pressure and serum cholesterol.It will
Take further years of follow‐up before definitive data on whether it reduces
Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are available.Choose the best policy to
Implement now from among the following options:

• A)License the polypill for general preventive use through doctors' prescriptions for at‐ risk patients who already take some or all the drugs in the pill
• B)License the polypill for general preventive use through doctors' prescriptions for at‐ risk patients whether or not they currently take any of the drugs
• C)Make the polypill freely available to the public from pharmacies without needing a doctor's prescription
• D)Wait for the early results of the trials to see if patients levels of risk factors decrease
• E)Wait until the longer‐term results of trials show a definitive lowering of CHD and stroke events and deaths, and the pill is approved by national drug oversight
• Agencies such as the FDA

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Definitions:

Comparative Advantage

The ability of an individual or country to produce a particular good or service at a lower opportunity cost than others.

David Ricardo

A British economist known for his theories on comparative advantage and rent, significantly influencing the field of economics.

Adam Smith

An 18th-century Scottish economist and philosopher best known for his work "The Wealth of Nations," which laid the foundation for classical economics and the concept of the invisible hand guiding free markets.

Absolute Advantage

The ability of an individual, company, or country to produce a good or service at a lower cost per unit than competitors.