Exploring the role of pharmacists in improving blood pressure control among hypertensive patients at the workplace

Abstract

Several hours of productivity are lost due to improper management of hypertension. Poor adherence and inadequate care due to weak healthcare systems contribute to the lack of effectiveness of anti-hypertensive therapy. Pharmaceutical care plays a vital role in achieving treatment goals for patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension. This study sought to ascertain the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care services provided at the workplace on adherence and blood pressure control among staff with hypertension. This was a prospective pre-post study conducted at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology from September 2019 to September 2020. Staff with confirmed diagnosis of hypertension were offered individualized pharmaceutical care every month for six months. Outcome measures were changes in blood pressure measurement, adherence and the number of pharmaceutical care issues identified and resolved. Forty-three university staff participated in this study. Reductions in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and difference in mean adherence scores were statistically significant after 6 months of follow up (p ≤ 0.00). A medical diagnosis of diabetes (p ≤ 0.044) and Body Mass Index (p ≤ 0.038) were associated with control of hypertension. Adherence to medications improved after the follow up period. Participants and pharmacists involved in the study expressed satisfaction with the program's impact. Pharmaceutical care at the workplace can improve medication adherence and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Blood pressure control was also better among individuals with normal Body Mass Index or a medical history of diabetes.

Keywords

• Hypertension
• Workplace
• Follow up
• Pharmaceutical care
• Pharmacist