BMJ  2003;327:808 (4 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7418.808-a

Letter

"Polypill" to fight cardiovascular disease

Birthday present was much appreciated

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—As a citizen of one of the "developing countries" quoted by Wald and Law,¹ I enjoy the free access to bmj.com, but I was amazed at the "collector's issue" of 28 June, published on my 55th birthday.²

I wonder whether the Editor's choice commentary is a product of astonished admiration, faithful friendship, or a critical view.² This renewed tailored recipe, like that of the old eminent doctors, is now the new paradigm of epidemiological and trial based science: no more costly evaluations, risk stratifications, control visits. We don't even need doctors or to treat patients: we'll treat populations. Let's begin with developing countries, and after that treat them all. The next step will be delivering "Polypills" to babies in their bottles.

The basis of Wald and Law's outstanding paper is an incredible intellectual achievement because the authors quote themselves 14 times in the references, and no doubt remains . . . [Full text of this article]

Hypertension Section, Favaloro Foundation, Belgrano 1746, C1093AAS, Buenos Aires, Argentina framos@intramed.net.ar

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