Medicines management programme: preferred medicines angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

摘要

There are ten licensed angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors available in Ireland.1 Annual expenditure on ACE inhibitors under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme exceeds an estimated €15 million.2udThe selection of a preferred ACE inhibitor under the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) is designed to support prescribers in choosing a medicine of proven safety and efficacy in the management of patients with cardiovascular conditions, particularly hypertension and heart failure. In selecting a preferred ACE inhibitor the MMP aims to enhance the quality of prescribing and provide value for money.udThe guidance may not be applicable to all patient populations, e.g. children and patients with congenital cardiac conditions, in which circumstances specialist advice should be sought. The use of ACE inhibitors is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy