Drug Utilization Pattern and Cost Estimates of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs in Pharmacies under the National Health Insurance Program

Abstract

Background: National health insurance facilitating patient with hypertension to obtain anti-hypertensive drug at the pharmacy. The drug need plan done to guarantee the availability and quality of anti-hypertension drug at low price. The drug utilization pattern and cost estimate are important elements to calculate the drug need plan in the pharmacy. This study aimed to examine the drug utilization pattern and cost estimates of anti-hypertensive drugs in pharmacies under the national health insurance program. Subjects and Method: This was descriptive study conducted at 12 pharmacies with national health insurance in Indonesia. The theme of this study was drug utilization pattern and cost estimates of anti-hypertensive drugs in pharmacies under the national health insurance program. The data were obtained from the secondary document of drug cost. Cost analysis was based on Ministry of Health, 2018. Drug utilization was estimated by the daily defined doses (DDD). The drug cost uti­lization was 90%. It was obtained from the number of drug multiplied by the pur­cha­se price and divided by the use of drug per DDD. The data was analyzed accordingly. Results: The most commonly used hypertension drugs were amlodipine (38.9%), can­de­sartan (13.6%), and ramipril (11%). Nine pharmacies had a drug need plan and 3 phar­­macies did not have. Pharmacies with drug need plan had the highest drug cost per DDD of Rp 6,204 and the lowest drug cost per DDD of Rp 415. The average drug cost was Rp 2,453. Pharmacies without drug need plan had an average cost of Rp 826. The high­est drug cost per DDD was Rp 1,171 and the lowest drug cost was Rp 196. There was no association between drug cost per DDD and drug need plan. Conclusion: The most commonly used anti-hypertensive drugs were amlodipine, can­de­sartan, and ramipril. There is no association between drug costs per DDD and drug need plan. Keywords: hypertension, preparation of drug needs, drug cost, pharmacy