Anti-Hypertensive Prescription and Cost Patterns in an Outpatient Department of a Teaching Hospital in Lagos State Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a public health problem with a high prevalence in Nigeria. The cost of prescription medications is thought to be a barrier for many patients to access the healthcare they need. This study was aimed at identifying associated co-morbid conditions, the prescribing patterns and cost of prescription for the treatment of hypertension in an outpatient clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out. A total of 147 prescriptions were obtained from the case notes of patients treated at the LUTH outpatient department between February 2012 and August 2012. For each prescription, the number of drugs, the class and combinations of antihypertensives were recorded. The monthly cost of a 30-day anti-hypertensive supply based on the recommended daily dose was calculated.