International variation in prescribing antihypertensive drugs: its extent and possible explanations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inexpensive antihypertensive drugs are at least as effective and safe as more expensive drugs. Overuse of newer, more expensive antihypertensive drugs is a poor use of resources. The potential savings are substantial, but vary across countries, in large part due to differences in prescribing patterns. We wanted to describe prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in ten countries and explore possible reasons for inter-country variation.

Methods

National prescribing profiles were determined based on information on sales and indications for prescribing. We sent a questionnaire to academics and drug regulatory agencies in Canada, France, Germany, UK, US and the Nordic countries, asking about explanations for differences in prescribing patterns in their country

SUBMITTER: Fretheim A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1079831 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature