Fig. 2. Two examples of simple hypertension treatment protocols for use at the primary care level.

Initial single-drug or “monotherapy” protocol (Panel A) and initial dual-drug combination therapy protocol (Panel B). Note that single pill combinations can be deployed at protocol step 2 (dual-drug combination therapy) and at protocol step 3 (triple-drug combination therapy) in the Panel A protocol (initial monotherapy). Dual-drug combination therapy and triple-drug combination therapy can be deployed at steps 1 and 3, respectively, in the Panel B protocol (initial dual-drug combination therapy).