The analysis of the sale of antihypertensive drugs in the pharmacies of Kyiv

Abstract

Аim. Antihypertensive drugs (AHD) belong to the category of the most commonly used drugs in the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine. This is due to the significant prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) in many countries of the world, including Ukraine. The purpose of this research is to develop a new approach to optimizing the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases in the framework of pharmaceutical care based on comprehensive clinical and economic assessments of the use of antihypertensive drugs of various clinical and pharmacological groups, conducted from the positions of pharmacy institutions and outpatient hospitals, taking into account the economic interests of patients.

Materials and methods. The researсh was taken retrospectively in 100 commercial pharmacies in the city of Kyiv (daily visitors – 400–500). Analysis of the AHD assortment, which was presented in it in 2017, was carried out with the help of appropriate documentation of pharmacies. To assess the range of AHD on the domestic pharmaceutical market, the data of the "Medicines" information system of Morion Company were used (as of October 2017).

Results. During the year, antihypertensive drugs were presented in pharmacies in a fairly wide assortment, mainly foreign products – 175 trade names (TN), 43 international non-proprietary names (INNs). In general, almost half of INNs (56.58 %) and 1/4 part of TN (28.78 %) were presented in pharmacies of the total amount of AHD in the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine. According to the results of the frequency analysis, the same AHD was in high demand by the population in pharmacies during the year but these drugs were differed in rating. These preparations make 21.41 % of all sold packages of AHD in pharmacies – 19.67 %. Only two drugs among the drug-leaders were foreign-made, others were domestic drugs. They had a relatively low packing cost – up to 10.00 UAH. Consequently, the price factor was often decisive in choosing AHD visitors to pharmacies. Рreparations of the first and second line of therapy, as well as combined AHD, are the drugs which were often bought by patients in pharmacies. Interestingly, all preparations of the first line of hypertension are representatives of ACE inhibitors (3 TN Enalapril and 1 TN of Captopril). In addition, the combined AHD Captopress-D also contains an ACE inhibitor Captopril. Preparations of this group have proved well in clinical practice, they can be used at any stage of hypertension, they improve the quality of life of patients and the prognosis of the disease, and the combination "ACE inhibitor + Thiazide diuretic" (among the leading drugs – the drug Captopress-D) is recognized as one of the most effective and appropriate for the appointment of combined antihypertensive therapy. Therefore, doctors often prescribe this pharmacological group to patients with AH. However, the high demand for them among drugstore visitors is likely related to their low cost.

Conclusion. Acquiring most AHDs by patients in pharmacies was appropriate and necessary for the treatment of hypertension, because 94 % of TN AHDs from the range of the pharmacy were available in the State form of Ukraine (they had an index "V" based on the results of the VEN-analysis) in 2017