Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects 3 in 10 Malaysians, making it a prevalent health concern in the country (National Health and Morbidity Survey, 2019). Of the 3, only 2 are aware of their condition, while the other remains undiagnosed, highlighting a critical gap in health awareness and screening. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, more than half (or 52%) of the total people affected do not have their blood pressure under control.
This reflects a pressing issue not only in early detection but also in effective management. Compounding the problem is the presence of counterfeit or substandard blood pressure (BP) monitors in the consumer market, leading to inaccurate readings and improper self-management. Ensuring reliable monitoring and raising awareness among the public is essential to combating this silent epidemic in Malaysia.
In line with efforts to promote better hypertension management, Alpro Pharmacy, Malaysia's largest community pharmacy chain, has entered into a strategic partnership with Omron Healthcare, a global leader in blood pressure monitoring. This collaboration aims to provide Malaysians with access to accurate BP monitoring services and raise public awareness on the importance of reliable home blood pressure monitoring.
Ph. Lim En Ni, Chief Pharmacist & Engagement Director of Alpro Pharmacy, said, "To control hypertension effectively, having a blood pressure monitor at home is crucial, and the accuracy of the monitor plays a significant role in achieving better health outcomes. Through this partnership with OMRON, we are proud to offer free accuracy checks for BP monitors at our outlets nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak, ensuring that our customers can rely on their devices for precise readings and informed healthcare decisions."
This service is already available to the public, with Alpro and Omron providing authorised BP meter accuracy checks to verify the reliability of BP monitors. Additionally, this initiative includes a research project aimed at understanding the benefits of home BP monitoring. The findings will be used to further educate the public and promote reliable monitoring as an essential preventive healthcare measure.
