Lacsa Jose Eric M
De La Salle University, Philippines.
Int J Cardiol Cardiovasc Risk Prev. 2025 May 1;25:200420. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2025.200420. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of premature mortality in the Philippines, disproportionately affecting low-income and underserved populations. Fixed-dose combination therapy, or the Polypill, has emerged as an evidence-based, cost-effective strategy for both primary and secondary prevention of CVD, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This article explores the relevance and potential impact of Polypill implementation within the Philippine healthcare system. With high rates of treatment non-adherence, fragmented care delivery, and barriers to medication access, the Polypill offers a simplified, once-daily regimen that improves adherence and reduces major cardiovascular events. Its integration into the country's Universal Health Care (UHC) framework could significantly reduce health disparities, prevent costly hospitalizations, and improve cardiovascular outcomes nationwide. Special attention is given to high-risk groups such as those with chronic kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We advocate for the inclusion of the Polypill in national treatment guidelines, essential medicines lists, and community health initiatives to address the growing burden of CVD in the Philippines. Broader adoption of this strategy can play a transformative role in enhancing cardiovascular health and reducing premature deaths in resource-limited settings.
心血管疾病（CVD）仍然是菲律宾过早死亡的主要原因，对低收入和服务不足人群的影响尤为严重。固定剂量复方疗法，即“多效药丸”，已成为一种基于证据且具有成本效益的心血管疾病一级和二级预防策略，特别是在低收入和中等收入国家。本文探讨了在菲律宾医疗体系中实施“多效药丸”的相关性和潜在影响。鉴于治疗依从性低、医疗服务分散以及药物获取存在障碍，“多效药丸”提供了一种简化的每日一次用药方案，可提高依从性并减少主要心血管事件。将其纳入该国的全民健康覆盖（UHC）框架可显著减少健康差距，预防昂贵的住院治疗，并改善全国的心血管疾病治疗效果。特别关注了慢性肾病和非酒精性脂肪性肝病等高危人群。我们主张将“多效药丸”纳入国家治疗指南、基本药物清单和社区健康倡议中，以应对菲律宾日益加重的心血管疾病负担。更广泛地采用这一策略可在资源有限的环境中对增强心血管健康和减少过早死亡发挥变革性作用。
