Volume and structure of antihypertensive drugs consumption in Ukraine

Abstract

Objectives: Arterial hypertension (AH) largely determines the high mortality rate and disability of working age persons from coronary heart diseases. In Ukraine in 2012 according to official statistics 12.1 million patients with AH were registered. It is 32.2% of the adult population. The purpose of the study - assessment structure and volume of antihypertensive drugs (AHDs) consumption during 2008- 2013 in Ukraine. Methods: Analysis of AHDs consumption was performed using ATC/DDD-methodology and data of drugs supply in informational-search system “Pharmaceuticals” of company MORION during 2008-2013. Consumption of AHDs was determined in the indicator: DDDs / 1000 inhabitans / day (DIDs). AHDs of the first-line: thiazide and thiazide-type diuretics, β -blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and the second line: α -blockers, central antiadrenergic drugs, peripheral vasodilators were analyzed. Results: Volume of AHDs consumption increased from 60,64 DIDs in 2008 to 96,43 DIDs in 2013. About 6.08% - 9.6% of inhabitans take one DDD per day. Recalculation volumes of AHDs consumption for a total aggregate of patients with AH showed that only 23% - 36% of patients receive treatment. This testifies to the low adherence of patients to treatment. A comparison the volumes of AHDs consumption has shown that the consumption of AHDs in Ukraine is less, but stroke mortality is higher than in the developed countries. Consumption of AHDs of the first line accounts for a large share which increased from 83.7% in 2008 to 89.3% in 2013. Consumption of AHDs of the second line decreased. Conclusions: Structure of AHDs consumption in Ukraine indicates compliance of antihypertensive therapy to current clinical guidelines. The consumption of AHDs in Ukraine is less than in other countries, so the most urgent problem for Ukraine is to find mechanisms for increasing the adherence of patients to hypertension treatment.