Pharmacist intervention program for control of hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Pharmaceutical care programs have been shown to improve outcomes in hypertension. However, most programs required direct access to patient medical chart and patient consultation sessions by appointment.


OBJECTIVE
To follow the current practice of community pharmacy, exploring the effect of an intervention program on blood pressure (BP) and factors affecting BP.


METHODS
Treated hypertensive patients were enrolled in a 9-month controlled study involving 9 community pharmacies. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model was used as conceptual framework to identify factors affecting BP, to incorporate those factors in an intervention program, and to evaluate the impact of the program. A computerized decision-aid tool was used by pharmacists from 4 pharmacies to provide pharmaceutical care to subjects (n = 41); pharmacists from the 5 other pharmacies performed usual care (n = 59). As there was a statistically significant interaction due to family income in describing the impact of pharmacists' intervention on BP, population was stratified by family income in the analyses.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the pharmacy program resulted in significant systolic BP reduction (-7.8 vs. 0.5 mm Hg; p = 0.01) and an increase in the proportion of controlled patients only for those with high incomes. In the high-income group, the program also had a positive impact on physical activity, self-reported adherence, health concerns, and information transmitted. The low-income group did not appear to benefit from the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacist intervention can modify factors affecting adherence, improve adherence, and reduce BP levels in patients treated with antihypertensive agents. Impact of pharmacist intervention on BP differed according to patient income status.
Chabot
Isabelle
I
Department of Health Economics & Outcomes Research, Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., Kirkland, Québec, Canada. isabelle_chabot@merck.com
Moisan
Jocelyne
J
Grégoire
Jean-Pierre
JP
Milot
Alain
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents