Cost-effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications in a regional hospital in rural Malaysia

Mohd Shah, Azarisman Shah and Ngow, Harris Abdullah and O, Marzuki and A.M., Puteri Melor and Ab Rahman, Jamalludin and Mohamed, Sahimi and Satwi, Sapari and S, Noorfaizan and Maskon, Oteh (2008) Cost-effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications in a regional hospital in rural Malaysia. Journal of Hypertension, 26 (Supp.1). S250. ISSN 0263-6352

PDF (Cost-effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications) - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (401kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Malaysia. Population-based hypertension control is extremely poor at only 6% based on the 1996 National Health and Morbidity Survey. One of the possible reasons include the availability and cost of antihypertensive medications. 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%), Calciumchannel blockers (29.63%), diuretics (16.67%), Beta blockers (13.64%) and Alpha blockers (2.69%). 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 most ‘cost-effective’ group of drugs are the diuretics making up 16.67% of the total annual prescriptions but only constituting 1.23% of the annual cost. Conclusion: The Calcium-channel blockers are the most ‘cost-ineffective’ medications available at our regional Hospital making up less than one third of the total annual prescriptions but making up nearly two-thirds of the annual anti-hypertensive budget. The most ‘cost-effective’ medications were diuretics, Beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors in order of ‘cost-effectiveness’.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	4393/5248
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Health & Family Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine
Depositing User:	Associate Professor Dr Harris Ngow Abdullah
Date Deposited:	24 Apr 2013 15:37
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2016 12:04
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/5248

Actions (login required)

View Item