Objective:
The study aims at determining whether the provision of further, practice-based support by Pharmacists will bring about improved outcomes for blood pressure (BP) control in middle age and elderly Nigerian hypertensive patients managed with combination diuretics (Amiloride hydrochloride 5mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg) and/or methyl dopa at the primary care level.

Design and Setting:
A one-year prospective, randomized cohort study of the out patients of a State Comprehensive Health Center in Southwestern Nigeria. Free primary health services including free drugs was provided for all patients.

Patients and Method:
The study population were Nigerians, 51 patients with uncomplicated hypertension, aged ? 45yrs, with 0.2 - 3.0 years history of hypertension, registered at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Ife, between October 2002 and March 2003. They were invited into the Pharmacist managed Hypertension clinic and followed for the study period. Participating Pharmacist counselled for current medication, personalized goals of lifestyle modifications stressing weight loss and or increased activity, increased patient awareness by providing relevant education about hypertension and associated/related diseases, adjusted drug therapy to optimize effectiveness and minimize adverse events, utilized treatment schedules that enhanced patients' adherence to therapy and monitored treatment outcomes between enrolment and return visits. Patient satisfaction and the number of treatment failures (TRM-F) within 6 months post inclusion were compared with retrospective data from our earlier study involving physician-managed patients under similar setting.

Conclusion
managed hypertension clinic can improve Blood pressure control, reduce treatment failure and increase patient satisfaction