EVOLUTION DE LA CONSOMMATION DES ANTIHYPERTENSEURS AU CENTRE HOSPITALIER REGIONAL UNIVERSITAIRE DE TOULOUSE DE 1981 A 1989

: Eighties were characterized by the introduction of two new pharmacological class of antihypertensive drugs [converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI) and calcium channel blockers] and the publication of several large scale antihypertensive trials. The consumption of antihypertensive drugs at the Toulouse Universitary Hospital was evaluated during the ten last years. Total consumption remained stable until 1985 (560,000 pinch units) and raised to 650,000 in 1988. This number decreased to 580,000 in 1989. Consumption of diuretics remained stable during these years whereas beta-blocking agents slightly decreased. The global increase of prescription was explained by the introduction of CEI and a marked rise in calcium channel blockers from 1986. In contrast, consumption of central antihypertensive drugs crushed from 1982 to equal vasodilators (direct + alpha-blocking agents) in 1989.