Drug utilization review of antihypertensive agents on the management of hypertension in the primary healthcare setting

Drug utilization research provides understanding on how drugs being consumed in the populations. The main focus of drug utilization research is to help the rational consumption of drugs in the society. According to National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III), the prevalence of hypertension among 30 years and above have increase from 32.9% as reported in National Health and Morbidity Survey II (NHMS II) to 42.6%. For the hypertensive patients who are 60 years old and above, the prevalence has been increased from 6.3% in 2000 to 7.4% in 2010. It is expected that the prevalence rate will be increased to 9.9% in 2020. To describe the utilization of antihypertensive drugs for the hypertension treatment in primary health clinics at Klang, Selangor. Method: This study was retrospective drug utilization study held in the government health clinics in Klang. The data of the patients were analyzed thoroughly from the raw data which were obtained from electronic Clinic Management System ( e-CMS) from 1 January 2013 until 3 1 December 2013. Defined Daily Dose (DDD) were calculated and compared in accordance with WHO and CPG. 303 patients were selected and the results showed that 54.8% were females (p=0.817).The age group between 46 to 60 years old was the highest percentage contributed to the study population (77.9%) with the mean age of 50.15 ± 7.61 (p<O .0001 ). Malay had the highest percentage contributed to the study population (89.6%) with the p=0.804.