Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug
Published on: May 17, 2024
Global consumption patterns of combination hypertension medication: An analysis of pharmaceutical sales data from
Sahan Jayawardana1, Allen Campbell2, Murray Aitken2
1Department of Health Policy, LSE Health, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.
Insights
Global hypertension drug consumption is rising, with combination therapies showing increased use, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, uptake remains inconsistent worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Global Health
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Hypertension is a leading global risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, impacting 1.3 billion adults.
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face widening disparities in hypertension control and rapidly increasing hypertension rates.
- Managing hypertension is complex due to multiple drug classes and dosing schedules, highlighting the need for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global consumption trends of combination versus non-combination antihypertensive medications.
- To compare consumption patterns across different country income groups (high-income, upper-middle income, and LMICs) from 2010 to 2021.
- To assess the global uptake and proportion of combination antihypertensives in relation to overall antihypertensive use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pharmaceutical sales data from the IQVIA MIDAS database covering 75 countries and 2 regions (2010-2021).
- Standardized antihypertensive consumption rates using Standard Units (SUs) per 1000 inhabitants per day.
- Analyzed consumption data stratified by country income classification (HIC, UMIC, LMIC).
Main Results:
- Global median consumption of all antihypertensives per 1000 inhabitants per day rose from 184.78 SUs in 2010 to 325.6 SUs in 2021.
- Consumption of both combination and non-combination antihypertensives increased across all income groups.
- LMICs showed a higher proportion of combination antihypertensive use (45.5% in 2021) compared to UMICs (24.3%) and HICs (24.4%).
Conclusions:
- Combination antihypertensives, despite potential benefits for adherence and efficacy, exhibit inconsistent global uptake.
- High-income countries (HICs) show lower relative consumption of combination drugs despite higher overall antihypertensive use.
- LMICs demonstrate an increasing trend in combination antihypertensive use, suggesting a potential shift in treatment preferences.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality worldwide, affecting 1.3 billion adults. Global disparities in hypertension control are widening with low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) having the fastest growing rates of hypertension and low rates of control. Treatment for hypertension can be challenging, with multiple drug classes and dosing schedules. Combination antihypertensives have been suggested as a solution for their efficacy and potential to improve adherence. Global consumption of combination and non-combination antihypertensives across 75 countries and 2 regions from 2010 to 2021 was estimated using the IQVIA MIDAS database on pharmaceutical sales. Consumption rates were standardized using Standard Units (SUs) and analysed by high-income (HIC), upper-middle income (UMIC), and LMIC income classification. Global median consumption rate of all antihypertensives per 1000 inhabitants per day increased from 184.78 SUs in 2010 to 325.6 SUs in 2021, with HICs consistently having the highest rates. Median consumption rates of combination and non-combination antihypertensives increased across all country income groups but combination drugs were consumed at a lower rate and proportion. LMICs consumed a higher percentage of combination antihypertensives relative to non-combination (45.5%) than UMICs (24.3%) and HICs (24.4%) in 2021. While combination antihypertensives may be preferred for their potential for increased adherence and effectiveness, their global uptake is inconsistent. HICs consume less combination medication relative to non-combination, despite higher overall consumption rates of antihypertensives. LMICs show increasing use of combination medications, indicating a shift towards their use.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
01:28Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
01:17Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...