Hypertension
Elizabeth Briand
In the United States, where heart disease remains the leading cause of death and nearly half the population suffers from high BP, the challenge of controlling hypertension remains a top priority for health care providers.
A recent study examined whether a pharmacist-led digital medicine program, conducted in tandem with team-based chronic disease care management, could improve BP control and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events for non-Hispanic Black and white patients with hypertension.
Results, published in the September 19, 2025, issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, showed that the approach worked.
“The study confirmed that both white and Black non-Hispanic populations showed improved hypertension control after participating in the digital medicine program, with all groups of people showing better health outcomes regardless of their starting baseline,” said Eboni Price-Haywood, MD, from Ochsner Health System in Louisiana.
Removing barriers to care
The retrospective observational study looked at 5,057 Medicare-insured hypertension patients over a 4-year period from 2019 through 2023, with approximately half enrolled in the digital medicine program and the other half—not enrolled—serving as controls.
In partnership with physicians, pharmacists used antihypertensive medications to help patients manage their conditions, adjusting their use as needed. To monitor hypertension, patients received free BP cuffs and were asked to take at least one BP reading per week from home. Participants were given instructions on how to properly use the device to avoid error.
Providing patients with the tools to monitor their own well-being while giving them access to clinical professionals helped study participants get a leg up on improving their health. It is an approach that improves convenience and accessibility of care for people, said Price-Haywood, noting that the program complements, rather than replaces, care provided by primary care physicians.
“Basically, pharmacist–physician collaborators take away barriers some patients may have in seeking out and maintaining their health care,” she said. “For example, taking time off from work is a barrier to many people. This type of program allows you to take control of your health without interfering with other aspects of a daily life.”
At the same time, she added, “There’s also the education that comes with these types of collaborations and programs. Patients are able to have a hand in their care and learn what behaviors to engage in for their self-care to be successful.”
High rates of medication adherence also were observed for the patients in the digital medicine program irrespective of race. In addition, there were lower rates of hospitalizations and emergency department care but no significant changes in their use of primary care visits or the cost of care itself.
Expanding the model of care
The strong results with regard to hypertension control were unsurprising to Price-Haywood, who had conducted previous research into the effectiveness of digital medicine across different populations. The early days of this most recent study also predated the pandemic, which spurred improved telehealth and digital health tools, particularly among Medicare and Medicaid populations, which also improved results.
“For example, we saw a more elderly population using cell phones with smart technology to get critical information during COVID, and we saw increased rates of telemedicine engagement during that time,” said Price-Haywood. “There is precedent for technology increasing health outcomes by reaching patients in rural areas and providing remote care options for chronic conditions like hypertension.”
With strong evidence that the pharmacist-led digital medicine program can positively impact conditions like hypertension, “the next step is to think of ways to scale the program,” said Price-Haywood. “The problem we need to solve is this: Do we have convenient, affordable, scalable options for populations regardless of where they live?”
At the end of the day, she said, “the most valuable idea of this program was one of empowerment. We can teach our patients to live their best life by controlling their health in the most convenient way.” ■