Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of a pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To measure clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes associated with a pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic compared with physician-managed clinics.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, comparative study.


METHODS
Managed care organization.


METHODS
A total of 330 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.


METHODS
Hypertension care provided by either the pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic or physician-managed general medical clinics.


RESULTS
Baseline and 6-month evaluations consisted of systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, a short-form health survey, and collection of health care utilization information. After treatment, blood pressure measurements were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic group than in the physician-managed clinic group. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the hypertension clinic group. Total costs for the hypertension clinic group were not different from those of the physician-managed clinic group ($242.46 vs $233.20, p=0.71), but cost:effectiveness ratios were lower in the hypertension clinic group ($27 vs $193/mm Hg for systolic blood pressure readings, and $48 vs $151/mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure readings).


CONCLUSIONS
In a hypertension clinic, pharmacists can be a cost-effective alternative to physicians in management of patients, and they can improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Okamoto
M P
MP
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Social and Administrative Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766, USA. mokamoto@westernu.edu
Nakahiro
R K
RK
D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric