In a country where roughly three in ten adults live with hypertension, the cost of managing this condition has become a heavy economic burden on families and the national health system alike. Research shows the prevalence of hypertension in Ghana stands at about 30.3 percent of the adult population, making it one of the most common non‑communicable diseases in the country.
This silent epidemic is not only a health problem but also a pressing economic challenge, especially for low–income Ghanaians and pensioners who must buy medicines monthly to stay alive.
Despite recent improvements in Ghana’s currency stability and a weakening of earlier pressure on the cedi, many drugs, particularly those for chronic conditions such as hypertension, remain costly. Pharmacies up and down the Greater Accra Region report that imported medications, especially branded versions, continue to command high prices due to import dependency, supply chain costs, and preference for original brands among prescribers and patients.
These factors push retail prices far above what many can afford, even with the recent economic recovery. A detailed analysis of pharmaceutical pricing trends shows that the cost of some generic medicines increased on average by nearly 180 percent between 2021 and 2022, reflecting broader inflationary pressures within the sector.
For many Ghanaian households, this means difficult choices every month. Mama Linda, an elderly mother living with hypertension, reflects a growing reality for thousands. She explains how daunting the financial aspect has become. “It is very tiring because sometimes I can spend like 300 cedis in a month on my blood pressure medication. Every month I have to put that aside while still budgeting for other expenses. Sometimes when it gets to that point, I skip my medication because I cannot afford it. Thinking that I have to take this for the rest of my life is very alarming,” she said.
Health professionals confirm that chronic conditions like hypertension are lifelong illnesses requiring consistent medication to prevent fatal complications. Pharmacist Dzifa, speaking from McCarthy Hill, described the cost structure and medical considerations involved.
“Hypertension is a chronic disease and there is no cure yet. Patients must take medication every day to regulate their blood pressure and prevent emergencies that could affect organs or lead to death,” she explained. Dzifa highlighted the various drug classes used, such as calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics, noting that sometimes patients must take more than one type to control their condition.
The real financial weight becomes clear when looking at cost of the medication. Across pharmacies in Accra, the price variations of common anti-hypertensive drugs reveal the scale of the burden on patients. A widely prescribed brand such as Exforge, used in managing high blood pressure through combination therapy, can cost as much as 400 Ghana cedis for a monthly supply, depending on the dosage and point of purchase.
Nifecard, another commonly used medication, averages around 90 Ghana cedis, although prices fluctuate across pharmacies and locations. Other medications such as losartan-based generics may be relatively cheaper, yet patients often require a combination of two or more drugs to effectively control their condition, significantly increasing monthly costs. For many households, especially those without stable income, these recurring expenses transform what should be routine disease management into a persistent financial strain.
A recent study at the Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta Region found that hypertensive patients incur an average monthly expenditure of USD 19.52 (about GH¢220)when considering consultation, medications and transport, with 49.14 percent experiencing catastrophic health expenditure defined as health costs exceeding 40 percent of their income capacity. Even though nearly all participants were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme, the out‑of‑pocket expenses remained significant, reflecting gaps in drug coverage and accessibility.
At the macroeconomic level, the pressures of hypertension management extend beyond individual households. Recent reports indicate that hypertension and diabetes together now consume nearly a quarter of the National Health Insurance Scheme’s budget, a trend policymakers warn may undermine the sustainability of Ghana’s health financing if urgent preventive action is not taken.
According to health sector experts, this shift reflects broader demographic transitions toward non‑communicable diseases and an aging population whose chronic care needs are intensifying.
Healthcare system leaders emphasise that inefficiencies in medicine procurement, limited local pharmaceutical manufacturing and high import reliance together magnify the price burden. Pharmacist Dzifa explained that while some generic alternatives exist and can be significantly cheaper, the preference for branded options and inconsistent availability complicates access. “We encourage patients to speak with their doctors to prescribe medications they can consistently afford so they can buy them monthly,” she said.
Economists argue that without strategic intervention, including expanded drug insurance coverage, scaling up local drug production, and stronger price regulation, the cost of treating hypertension will continue to weigh heavily on Ghana’s economy and households. The rising tide of chronic care demands urgent policy innovations that balance quality, access and affordability for those who can least afford it.
