Assessment of Pharmacist Counselling Quality for Patients with Hypertension at Community Pharmacies in Edo State

Community pharmacists are accessible primary healthcare contacts for hypertensive patients, and the quality of counselling provided significantly influences blood pressure management outcomes. This study assessed the quality of pharmacist counselling for hypertensive patients at community pharmacies in Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at 30 community pharmacies. Trained observers using a standardised checklist recorded counselling practices for antihypertensive medication dispensing encounters. Exit interviews with 150 hypertensive patients assessed comprehension and satisfaction. Counselling quality was assessed across six domains: medication name, indication, dose and frequency, side effects, lifestyle modification advice, and monitoring instructions. Results showed that counselling on medication name and dose was provided in 89.3 percent and 82.7 percent of encounters respectively, while side effect counselling occurred in only 44.0 percent, lifestyle advice in 33.3 percent, and monitoring instructions in 28.0 percent of encounters. Patients whose counselling covered all six domains demonstrated significantly higher blood pressure control rates. Patient satisfaction was rated as high in 54.7 percent of cases. Time pressure and high pharmacy volume were the most frequently cited barriers to comprehensive counselling by pharmacists. The study recommends structured counselling protocols, pharmacist continuing education on hypertension management, and minimum counselling standards enforceable during PCN inspection visits in Edo State.

Keywords: pharmacist counselling, hypertension, antihypertensives, community pharmacy, Edo State