They are mostly family doctors, but also specialists, pharmacists, and scientists. Their names are included at the end. We welcome the priority you have given to primary health care, and the emphasis you have put on research, solid facts, and cost-effective practice. However, we are concerned about one particular part of the guidelines. We fear that the new recommendations will be used to encourage an increased use of antihypertensive drugs, at great expense, and for little benefit.
Family doctors are responsible for treating the majority of hypertensive patients.
This is an important task, and we acknowledge that there is a potential for improvement in care. We look to WHO for leadership in the global effort to prevent unnecessary deaths and appreciate your efforts in developing the new guidelines. Regrettably, in this particular recommendation we are left with an impression that WHO has failed its responsibility. We believe a correction is possible and necessary and will look forward to hear from WHO on this issue which, if left unattended, may affect millions of people.