Collaborative Care Helps Control Blood Pressure

When pharmacists and physicians team up, patients with high blood pressure can benefit. A controlled clinical trial included 400 patients with diagnosed hypertension. In one-half of the group, clinical pharmacists made recommendations to physicians for drug therapy. In the other half, patients got usual care. Blood pressure control was significantly better in the group getting collaborative care. An accompanying editorial concludes that a team approach results in improved clinical outcomes and should also help control costs.

[Archives of Internal Medicine, November 23, 2009]