Primary care prescribing patterns in Ireland after the publication of large hypertension trials

What is already known about this subject • Between 2000 and 2004, three large hypertension trials were particularly important in choice of antihypertensive drug; LIFE, ALLHAT and VALUE. • Studies in the US and Canada have shown that subsequent prescribing patterns have been influenced through such publications. What this study adds • There was little or no effect of any of the trials on new antihypertensive prescribing in Ireland, except for a slight increase in new prescriptions for ACE inhibitors following ALLHAT, and calcium channel blockers following the VALUE trial. Aims This study assessed prescribing patterns of antihypertensive therapies (AHT) before and after the publication of the LIFE, ALLHAT and VALUE trials between 2000 and 2005. Methods The Irish HSE‐PCRS prescribing database was used to identify those initiated any AHT. Any change 12 months before and after the trial publications was examined using a segmented regression analysis. Results There was little or no effect of any of the trials on new AHT prescribing, except for ALLHAT where there was an increase in new prescriptions for ACE inhibitors, and VALUE with a slight increase in prescriptions for calcium channel blockers. Conclusions Our findings show that there was little or no effect of any of the three clinical trials studied on new AHT prescribing patterns in Irish general practice. Future studies should assess any underlying barriers to implementing new evidence into clinical practice.