Cost of treating hypertension in Malaysia

• Main Author: Al-Efan, Qais Muhammad Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: RS Pharmacy and materia medica
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/11019/1/cost_of_treating_hypertension_in_Malaysia.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/11019/

Background: Cost of illness studies approximate the economic burden of any disease on the society. Hypertension is one of the most prevalent vascular diseases and is considered as a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is greatly prevalent and severe in Malaysia. Its care is insufficient. Hypertension detection and treatment is less than satisfactory in Malaysia. Objective : This study was conducted to quantify the total direct and indirect costs of hypertension management. Methodology : Data was collected to estimate the direct medical costs for 300 hypertensive patients included health care practitioners’ services, medicines and laboratory tests retrospectively and through follow up process. Indirect costs were estimated as productivity lost by hypertensive patients. The prevalence and incidence-based approaches were used to estimate the cost of illness of hypertension disease. Results : The total direct costs were RM1612.38, RM1741.85 and RM2718.21 for the prehypertensive, stage 1 and stage 2 hypertensive groups respectively. The total indirect costs were RM8078.70, RM6654.52 and RM7511.41. Conclusion : The direct costs attributable to hypertension disease were higher in higher blood pressure groups. Direct costs of hypertension are mainly dependant on the costs of antihypertensive agents. Efforts should focus on improving the awareness of the both clinical and economic benefits of preventing hypertension in the society. Keywords : Cost, treatment, hypertension, Malaysia.