International Circulation:  How do you see the future of using poly-pill in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases?

Sidney Smith:  I think secondary prevention offers the greatest opportunity for the poly-pill.  Patients are more willingly to take one pill than taking 3 or 4 pills.  There are some hurtles to overcome however. That is the dose of the ingredients since some patients may need to take a higher dose than others.  Also， by putting all the drugs in one pill you need to be sure that they have the same effect as if taken singly.  In general， I believe the poly-pill’s greatest potential may lie in treating people who have known disease in terms of having a real effect.  A number of studies are underway to show whether it does make a difference.  It will be a couple of years before we know for sure.