Evaluation of anti-hypertensive drug utilisation and cost in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan

Mohd Shah, Azarisman Shah and Abdullah, Aszrin and Mohamed, Sahimi and Abdullah Ngow, Harris and Omar, Ahmad Marzuki and Ab Rahman, Jamalludin and Satwi, Sapari and Oteh, Maskon (2009) Evaluation of anti-hypertensive drug utilisation and cost in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan. International Medical Journal Malaysia, 8 (2). pp. 29-34. ISSN 1823-4631

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Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. The prevalence of hypertension nearly doubled over a ten-year period (1986 – 1996). This has resulted in a significant rise in its attendant cost. We aim to review the institutional anti-hypertensive use, the cost incurred and the implications on management in our local setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the annual cost (2006) of anti-hypertensive medications was undertaken at the Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, a 600-bed major regional hospital on the east-coast of Malaysia. The total number of prescriptions given out and the total cost per drug is then factored to give the annual cost per drug per person in a percentage of the total annual expenditure. Results: The majority of patients were on either 2 (46.5%) or 3 (25.9%) anti-hypertensives. The most frequently prescribed medications were ACE Inhibitors (33.45%), Calcium channel blockers (29.63%), diuretics (16.67%) and β-blockers (13.64%). In terms of cost however, the Calcium channel blockers constituted the greatest percentage of the annual anti-hypertensive budget (63.67%) compared to ACE Inhibitors at just 20.04% of the annual expenditure. The least costly group of drugs is the diuretic making up 16.67% of the total annual prescriptions but only constituting 1.23% of the annual cost. Conclusion: The majority of patients were on ACE Inhibitors and/or Calcium channel blockers. This has huge monetary implications as they represent a large proportion of the annual antihypertensive allocation. There may be a need to reverse the trend in the developing world due to cost restrictions.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	3808/1350
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hypertension, medication, cost
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Health & Family Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms Zati Atiqah Mohamad Tanuri
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2011 15:44
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2016 11:59
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/1350

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