IT IS, depending on who you talk to, either the most important idea in medicine for over half a century or a crazy, dangerous fantasy.
The polypill, first revealed in July, is still hitting the headlines around the world. The plan is to offer everyone over 55 a single pill that combines five cheap off-patent drugs, including aspirin and statins, and the vitamin folic acid. Proponents say it would slash the risk of heart attacks by 88 per cent and strokes by 80 per cent, and that people who avoid these diseases by taking the polypill will live up to…
