Drug Utilization Pattern, Cost of Illness and Cost-Effective Analysis of Antihypertensive Drugs in a Tertiary Hospital- A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hypertension is a condition with a substantial public health burden and a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The increasing prevalence of hypertension requires the use of cost-effective treatment and effective management of a disease. Hence, this study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of antihypertension drugs in patients with hypertension and other co- morbidities.

Methods: The study was designed as prospective and interventional, with objectives to evaluate the cost of illness, prescribing patterns of different classes of antihypertensive drugs alone or in combination, and cost-effectiveness evaluation of other groups of antihypertensive drugs prescribed. Provided About 40 patients were with antihypertensive drugs of various classes whose health scores were calculated using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and calculated the total cost of treatment. Also calculated Most common Prescribe antihypertensive medications and the cost-effectiveness of each drug.

Results: This study showed that 58% of patients received combination therapy, 42% received monotherapy. Metoprolol was most cost-effective, followed by Carvedilol, which was in the case of monotherapy. Concerning combination therapy, Amlodipine + Bisoprolol proved to be the most cost-effective. ARBs were the most commonly prescribed class of antihypertensive drugs.

Conclusion: The study provided significant improvement in the health score of patients concerning the cost-effective antihypertensive treatment, showing an effective reduction in BP/ Helped in the management of hypertension and helped reduce risk factors associated with various cardiovascular diseases.