STUDY TITLE A randomized double-blind controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of the POLYCAP® versus its components in subjects aged 45 to 80 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor.

STUDY OBJECTIVES This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of the POLYCAP®, a fixed dose combinationcontaining 5 drugs (an antiplatelet drug; 3 blood pressure lowering agents, a beta blocker, an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic and a statin.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled double-blind trial of the POLYCAP® versus its components in eight formulations.

STUDY POPULATION Subjects between 45 and 80 years of age, with at least one additional CVD risk factor.

INVESTIGATIONAL PRODUCTS Composition POLYCAP® and its comparators FOLLOW UP The total duration of follow up will be 4 months, from the start of study medication.. Subjects will take study medication for 3 months. There will be a final follow up visit 1 month after stopping the study medication.

There will be five follow up visits, the first 7 - 10 days after starting study medication and thereafter monthly visits for 4 months. Subjects taking any of the study medications prior to enrolment will have one or more additional visits during a defined wash out and before enrolment.

OUTCOME MEASURES Mean difference of change in BP, LDL and urinary thromboxane at the end of the three month period.

STATISTICAL ISSUES Non-inferiority evaluation of the POLYCAP in modifying BP, lipids and platelet activity [as measured by urinary thromboxane] when compared with its different components in eight different formulations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 45 and 80 years

• At least any one of the following CVD risk factors:

  • Stable type 2 diabetes mellitus or
  • Hypertension or
  • Current smoker or
  • A waist to hip ratio > 0.85 for women and >0.9 for men or
  • Elevated lipids.

• Informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• On any of the study medications,
• Uncontrolled blood pressure,
• Symptomatic hypotension,
• Any clear indication or a contraindication to the use of any of the study medications,
• History of coronary/cerebrovascular events,
• Pregnancy or lactating or women of child-bearing potential with inadequate contraception and / or an inability to attend follow up visits.