Utilization of beta blocker antihypertensive drugs in primary healthcare setting / Nur Syafiqah Mat Bashah

Background : Drug utilization studies evaluate the appropriateness of drug prescribing to improve the quality of drug use, improvement of treatment guidelines, and development of national drug. The ultimate goal of drug utilization research is to assess whether the drug therapy is rational or not. According to National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) the prevalence for hypertension in Malaysia for adults more than 18 years has increased from 32.2 % in 2006 to 32.7% IN 2011. According to WHO, hypertension is one of the most chronic disease and important risk for cardiovascular problems.
Objective: To identify the drug utilization of B-blocker antihypertensive agents in primary health care setting PKD Klang, Selangor.
Method: A retrospective study of drug utilization of Beta Blocker in Klinik Kesihatan Anika and Kilinik Kesihatan Pandamaran. The utilized medications were reviewed and identified from electronic Clinic Management System (e-CMS) from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2013 by using patient Identification Number (ID).The calculated sample was 170 patients for patients with hypertensive medications only and 170 patients with antihypertensive and anti-diabetic medication. Each medication was classified based on the anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) code. The prescribed medicine, dose and frequency were recorded for each patient to obtain the drugs' Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day. Define daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day calculated to provide rough estimation of population receiving standard treatment on a daily basis. Each daily dose of patients will be compared with Defined Daily Dose WHO and Malaysia Clinical Practice Guidelines with respects to patient's characteristics.