Cardiovascular fixed-dose combinations of several drugs (commonly known as “polypills”) have been shown to rationalize treatment regimens, improve adherence and better control risk factors. Polypills for the prevention of cardiovascular disease are made up of cholesterol-lowering agents, one or more blood pressure-lowering agents and, if necessary, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Their recent inclusion in the WHO Essential Medicines List should improve the accessibility and affordability of these essential medicines, which have the potential to save millions of lives every year.