The costs of treating hypertension in Sweden. An empirical investigation in primary health care.

The treatment costs of hypertension in Sweden were calculated both at the individual and at the national level after an empirical investigation in primary health care. The average drug cost per patient and year was calculated as c. SEK 1220, the annual consultation cost as c. SEK 620, and the annual travel and time cost as c. SEK 230. About 500,000 people are treated pharmacologically for hypertension in Sweden, and about 25,000 non-pharmacologically. The total annual treatment cost for these patients was calculated as c. SEK 1100 million. The drug cost accounts for c. SEK 650 million, the consultation cost for c. SEK 330 million, and the travel and time cost for c. SEK 120 million. The drug reimbursement scheme pays almost half these costs, while the county councils and the patients pay approximately a quarter each.