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Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmacological Research Vol 2.(1) pp.025 - 028 September 2011
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=jppr
Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals
Case Study
DRUG UTILIZATION REVIEW OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY AMONG PATIENTS WITH COMPELLING INDICATIONS IN TWO HOSPITALS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA
Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife and Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka
Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Nigeria Nsukka 410101Enugu State Nigeria.
Corresponding author: Email obinna.ekwunife@unn.edu.ng
Accepted 2nd September 2010.
| Abstract |
Hypertension, a silent killer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Application of evidence based practice would help in the control of hypertension especially in tropical Africa where control indices are poor. The aim of this study was to analyze out-of-hospital antihypertensive drug utilization in two secondary health care centres in South-Eastern Nigeria among patients with compelling indications. The utilization of antihypertensive drugs dispensed to out-patients in the year 2006 to 2007 was analyzed retrospectively using the ATC/DDD method. Results were expressed in DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day. Adherence to World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) management guideline was also assessed. Nifedipine and hydrochlorthiazide/amiloride were the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drugs with 10.48 and 9.79 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day respectively. For patients with compelling indications, 46% and 67% of hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and congestive heart failure respectively were placed on correct (appropriate) therapies in accordance with WHO/ISH guideline. All the hypertensive patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) alone as well as those with DM and CVA received drugs indicated by WHO/ISH guideline. This study pointed out some therapeutic rationality in these two health centres. However, targeted education of the prescription-givers and dissemination of treatment guideline could facilitate rational use of drugs and adherence to treatment guidelines.
KEYWORDS: hypertension, antihypertensive therapy, treatment guideline, drug utilization review, Nigeria