| Abstract: | ![]()
Hypertension (HT) in Africa has recently been the subject of an exchange of correspondence in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). It was argued in one paper that its treatment should be a priority and that one death could be prevented for every US$1800 spent upon antihypertensive drugs. One letter writer argued that the figure was an underestimate and could not compare in terms of cost-effectiveness with, for example, epilepsy treatment at around $20/year. A better approach, however, would be to urge patients with HT to eat less salt and to restrict drug treatment to those with symptoms or complications. Another writer went further, noting what little money is available to African patients and hospitals, and that one cannot realistically expect a peasant farmer to spend $40/year on a drug for a disease which causes him no suffering. A simple rural hospital could save lives from many conditions, each at a fraction of the cost of antihypertensive drug treatment. Nonetheless, other writers to the BMJ argue that stroke and cerebrovascular disease in Africa are likely to become more common and that it is extremely important that cost-effective approaches are found to control HT in developing countries. |
