Pattern of antihypertensive drugs utilization, compliance and direct cost evaluation in Shah Alam health clinic / Mohamad Fahmi Jamil

Objectives: To examine the prescribing patterns, particularly antihypertensive and other comorbidities drugs, in a general government health care setting and to evaluate the expenditure incurred as well as adherence towards antihypertensive regimens. Methods: questionnaire-based study was conducted to evaluate compliance and prescriptions from a general medical outpatient clinic were collected for 1 week. Drug expenditures were calculated. Results: A total of 2138 prescriptions containing 917 items were collected. Antihypertensive and other comorbidities drugs accounted for 25.35% and 17.54% usage, respectively. CCBs, ACE inhibitors and BBs were the most popular antihypertensive. drugs used. Sulphonylureas were the most frequently prescribed antidiabetic agents. Memory, duration of therapy and age were significantly associated with compliance. Average cost per prescription was RM12 with amlodipine accounts for the highest usage with cost of RM 879499.68 ± 69625. Conclusion: The use of more expensive agent like amlodipine has further increased drug expenditure. Monitoring drug usage and their correlations with clinical outcomes are warranted. Counseling should be conveyed more effectively to improve patient compliance regardless their poor memory, duration of therapy or age factors.