The Role of Pharmacist in Managing Hypertension in the Community: Findings from a Community Based Study

Introduction: Pharmacist led health education programs have been initiated to improve Blood Pressure (BP) control in the community and patients' knowledge on a disease and therapy, lifestyle changes and medication adherence among hypertensive patients. This study aimed to evaluate pharmacist led health education program among hypertensive patients, in local community-based setting, by assessing the changes in blood pressure control, beliefs about medicine, antihypertensive medications adherence and quality use of medication. Methods: This study was prospective convenient sampling, with community-based health education study involving 45 participants at the Community Service Hall in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia. Participants received health education program over 4 months period: Introduction of hypertension, pharmacological management of hypertension, quality use of medication and diet and lifestyle changes. Outcomes included the changes Blood Pressure (BP) level, Malaysian Medication Adherence Assessment (MALMAS), Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) and Quality Use of Medication (QUM). Results: Both systolic BP (146.6 +/- 11.1 mmHg, P<0.001) and diastolic BP (87.6 +/- 9.6 mmHg, P = 0.002) decreased significantly after the 2-months intervention. Systolic BP was successfully reduced significantly to 140.1 +/- 10.7 mmHg (P<0.001) after the 4-months intervention. Medication adherents increased significantly from baseline (29.3%) to 2-months interventions (58.5%, P = 0.005) and 4-months interventions (70.7%, P<0.001). Significant improvement was also noticed in BMQ and QUM. Conclusion: Pharmacist led health education program has significantly desirable effects on improvement of blood pressure, better beliefs about medicine, improvement of medication adherence and better rational use of medication.