Antihypertensive

August 2026

INESSS has updated its national medical protocol to align it with the latest scientific evidence and current best-practice trends, particularly with respect to strengthening preventive clinical practices and enhancing interprofessional collaboration in the management of chronic diseases.

Several changes have been made to the protocol to support the optimal follow-up of individuals receiving antihypertensive therapy. These include emphasizing the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, removing beta-blockers and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers from the protocol, and adding mineralocorticoid or aldosterone receptor antagonists, which are recommended when previous treatment steps have been insufficient to control hypertension. A section containing information to be communicated to patients, including several hyperlinks to additional resources, has also been added to the protocol.

In addition, the collective prescription template associated with this protocol has been revised to include, among its indications, all individuals whose treatment adjustment and follow-up are not covered by their individual antihypertensive medication prescription. When required, this template allows for the initiation and follow-up of laboratory testing for these individuals (without authorizing adjustments to their medication).

Furthermore, because the national medical protocol applies only after pharmacological treatment has been prescribed, a quick-reference guide has also been developed to support primary care prescribers in decision-making regarding the initiation of treatment for hypertension.