A comprehensive global review on pharmacist-led strategies to support medication therapy in hypertensive patients

Hypertension, a global health burden affecting over a billion individuals, significantly contributes to cardiovascular diseases and mortality. Despite the availability of effective antihypertensive therapies, medication adherence remains a critical challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Pharmacist-led interventions have emerged as an effective strategy to enhance adherence and optimize blood pressure (BP) control. Pharmacists' accessibility enables tailored interventions addressing multifaceted barriers to adherence, such as patient education, complex medication regimens, and communication gaps. Medication therapy management (MTM), implemented internationally, demonstrates significant improvements in adherence and BP control by addressing medication appropriateness and patient-specific challenges. Telemedicine and mobile health technologies allow remote monitoring, ensuring better adherence tracking and timely interventions. Collaborative care models, involving all healthcare professionals, provide integrated care that significantly reduces BP and enhances patient outcomes. Studies across diverse settings highlight the efficacy of these interventions, reporting substantial reductions in systolic and diastolic BP and improved adherence rates. Pharmacist-led interventions represent a paradigm shift in hypertension management, bridging gaps in care and improving health outcomes. By addressing adherence barriers through innovative and patient-centered approaches, pharmacists play a pivotal role in mitigating the global burden of hypertension and advancing public health. This review highlights critical role of pharmacists in improving hypertension management through interventions like MTM, patient counseling, telemedicine, and collaborative care. By addressing barriers such as inadequate understanding, inconsistent medication use, and communication gaps, pharmacists ensure therapeutic appropriateness through medication reconciliation, dosage adjustments, and regular follow-ups. The integration of technology and personalized care enhances adherence, ultimately mitigating hypertension-related morbidity and mortality.