ISABEL NAOMI AIKA

Background: Hypertension remains a major global health concern, with a high prevalence in
Nigeria leading to significant cardiovascular morbidity. Despite the availability of effective
antihypertensive drugs, poor blood pressure control persists due to drug therapy problems
(DTPs) such as non-adherence and inappropriate therapy.
Objective: To assess the impact of pharmacist intervention in identifying and resolving drug
therapy problems among hypertensive patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital,
Benin City.
Method: A prospective observational study was conducted among 226 hypertensive patients
attending the Consultant Outpatient Department pharmacy. Data were collected using
structured forms based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) classification
system. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.
Results: Out of 226 participants, 60.6% had at least one DTP. The most common problem
was non-adherence (47.3%), mostly patient-related (47.3%). Pharmacist interventions were
primarily patient-level (48.2%), with counselling being the major strategy (48.2%). Patient
acceptance of interventions was 48.2%, and prescriber acceptance 14.6%. Duration of
diagnosis showed a significant relationship with DTP occurrence (p = 0.008).
Conclusion: Pharmacist interventions significantly contributed to identifying and resolving
DTPs, improving adherence, and optimizing hypertension management. Integrating
pharmacists into multidisciplinary care teams is essential for enhancing patient outcomes and
minimizing medication-related problems

Background: - Herbal medicine, defined as the therapeutic use of plants and plant-based products, has long played a vital role in African healthcare systems. In Nigeria, where approximately 70–80% of the population depends on traditional remedies, medicinal plants such as Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, and Ocimum gratissimum are commonly used for managing diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite their popularity, concerns remain regarding their clinical efficacy, safety, dosage standardization, and possible interactions with conventional anti-diabetic drugs. Objectives:- This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and pattern of herbal medicine use among diabetic patients and to evaluate their knowledge regarding these therapies. Methods:- A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), specifically in the Consultant Outpatient Department (COPD) and Consultant Outpatient Department–National Health Insurance Scheme (COPD–NHIS). A total of 205 diabetic patients participated through structured interviews and questionnaires. Data were
analyzed to determine the prevalence of herbal medicine use and the level of awareness among respondents. Results:- It shows that the majority of participants (93.2%) were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. About one-fifth (20%) of the respondents reported using herbal medicines alongside conventional therapy, while 14.6% were currently combining both forms of treatment at the time of the study. Only a small proportion demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding the efficacy, safety, and potential interactions of herbal products with prescribed medications. Conclusion: - the study revealed a moderate prevalence of herbal medicine use among diabetic patients, often in combination with standard anti-diabetic drugs. These findings highlight the
need for enhanced patient education, improved regulation, and strengthened pharmacovigilance to ensure the safe and effective integration of herbal medicine into diabetes management in Nigeria.