To the Editor: Clarke and Avery make an important point highlighting the substantial costs arising from a loophole allowing multibrand fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to retain price premiums long after premiums on their individual components have eroded.1
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- 1. Clarke PM, Avery AB. Evaluating the costs and benefits of using combination therapies. Med J Aust 2014; 200: 518-520. <MJA full text>
- 2. Patel A, Cass A, Peiris D, et al. A pragmatic randomized trial of a polypill-based strategy to improve use of indicated preventive treatments in people at high cardiovascular disease risk. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2014; Mar 27 [Epub ahead of print].
- 3. Thom S, Poulter N, Field J, et al. Effects of a fixed-dose combination strategy on adherence and risk factors in patients with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease: the UMPIRE randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2013; 310: 918-929.
- 4. Webster RJ, Heeley EL, Peiris DP, et al. Gaps in cardiovascular disease risk management in Australian general practice. Med J Aust 2009; 191: 324-329. <MJA full text>
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The George Institute for Global Health secured an exclusive global licence in December 2012 for the polypills used in recent trials, following a decision by Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd not to proceed with taking the products to market because of existing regulatory requirements.