The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Little is known regarding potential differences in antihypertensive prescribing practices at a Canadian provincial level. Our objective was to determine provincial differences in the use of antihypertensive drug therapy in Canada. ⋯ Large increases in antihypertensive prescriptions occurred in all provinces of Canada, but the provinces varied substantially in the increase in total and drug-specific classes of antihypertensive drugs. The basis for provincial differences in antihypertensive prescriptions remains unknown and is likely multifactorial but may relate in part to initial provincial variations in diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension, as well as individual provincial drug policies.