OUT-PATIENTS UTILIZATION OF ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA
Samaila A*1, Okonta JM2, Ukwe CV2
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto
2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Management University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 9(1): 8-17; June/July 2017
ABSTRACT
Despite the availability of the wide range of anti-hypertensive drugs and simplifying prescribing decision by the Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC7), hypertension and its complications are still important causes of adult morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Drug utilization studies promote rational drug use which in turn minimizes the negative medical, social and economic consequences in management of chronic diseases like hypertension. The study was designed to evaluate the out-patients utilization of anti-hypertensive drugs in a tertiary hospital in north western Nigeria. This retrospective longitudinal study covered a period of five years (January, 2010 to December, 2014). Data was collected from the Medical Out-patients Department (MOPD) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto State in north western Nigeria. A total of 3316 encounters were analyzed using ATC/DDD method. Prescriptions written for females were 63.2%, while the mean age of the patients was 51.68±11.39. Diabetes was the highest comorbidity encountered. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 2.2. There was significant difference between the mean number of drugs prescribed in 2010 and 2012 (p<0.05). The year 2010 had the highest percentage (80.2%) of drugs prescribed by generic names. Amlodipine and lisinopril were the most utilized antihypertensive drugs with 281.8 and 215.8 DDD/1000 patients/ day respectively. The trend of antihypertensive use was found to be normal. This study showed that there was rationality in antihypertensive drugs use in this facility. However, targeted education of the prescribers and dissemination of treatment guidelines could facilitate rational use of antihypertensive drugs and adherence to treatment guidelines.
KEYWORDS: Antihypertensive drugs, Drug utilization, Hypertension, Treatment guideline
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