How does prescribing for antihypertensive products stack up against guideline recommendations? An Australian population-based study (2006-2014).

ABSTRACT:

Aims

We describe choice of first-line antihypertensive drug therapy and uptake of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in Australia, and investigate the impact of initiation on FDCs and other non-recommended first-line therapies on treatment discontinuation.

Method

This was a population-based retrospective cohort study using a random 10% sample of persons dispensed an Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listed medicine from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2014. The primary outcomes were adherence to Australian recommendations at initiation of antihypertensive therapy, discontinuation of initial therapy and discontinuation of any therapy in the first year after initiation.

Results

In our sample of 55 937 persons initiating therapy, 42.0% did so outside Australian recommendation

SUBMITTER: Schaffer AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5137838 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature