The effects of mandatory prescribing of thiazides for newly treated, uncomplicated hypertension: interrupted time-series analysis.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of a new reimbursement rule for antihypertensive medication that made thiazides mandatory first-line drugs for newly treated, uncomplicated hypertension. The objective of the new regulation was to reduce drug expenditures.


RESULTS
We conducted an interrupted time-series analysis on prescribing data before and after the new reimbursement rule for antihypertensive medication was put into effect. All patients started on antihypertensive medication in 61 general practices in Norway were included in the analysis. The new rule was put forward by the Ministry of Health and was approved by parliament. Adherence to the rule was monitored only minimally, and there were no penalties for non-adherence. Our primary outcome was the proportion of thiazide prescriptions among all prescriptions made for persons started on antihypertensive medication. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients who, within 4 mo, reached recommended blood-pressure goals and the proportion of patients who, within 4 mo, were not started on a second antihypertensive drug. We also compared drug costs before and after the intervention. During the baseline period, 10% of patients started on antihypertensive medication were given a thiazide prescription. This proportion rose steadily during the transition period, after which it remained stable at 25%. For other outcomes, no statistically significant differences were demonstrated. Achievement of treatment goals was slightly higher (56.6% versus 58.4%) after the new rule was introduced, and the prescribing of a second drug was slightly lower (24.0% versus 21.8%). Drug costs were reduced by an estimated Norwegian kroner 4.8 million (0.58 million Euros, US$0.72 million) in the first year, which is equivalent to Norwegian kroner 1.06 per inhabitant (0.13 Euros, US$0.16).


CONCLUSIONS
Prescribing of thiazides in Norway for uncomplicated hypertension more than doubled after a reimbursement rule requiring the use of thiazides as the first-choice therapy was put into effect. However, the resulting savings on drug expenditures were modest. There were no significant changes in the achievement of treatment goals or in the prescribing of a second antihypertensive drug.
Fretheim
Atle
A
Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway. atle.fretheim@nokc.no
Håvelsrud
Kari
K
MacLennan
Graeme
G
Kristoffersen
Doris Tove
DT
Oxman
Andrew D
AD
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D049971:Thiazides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D049971:Thiazides