Introduction. Drug utilization researches were defined by WHO in 1977 as marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences. Drug utilization, as part of pharmacoepidemiology, is intended to supplement the rational drug use. Measuring of the drug utilization indexes, at macro level, is an important component of the national drug policy, especially in the construction of adequate approaches for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of socially significant diseases, such as arterial hypertension (AH). Aim. To analyze the pharmacotherapeutic strategies which are applied to patients with AH by using quantitative and qualitative parameters at national level. Material and methods. Design: retrospective study of publicly accessible data from registries of National health insurance fund for the period January 2017-December 2021. The analyses are in accordance with ATC/DDD methodology of WHO. The data was processed via descriptive statistical methods. Results. The analyzed population includes average 129 312 patients with essential arterial hypertension-11.09% of all hypertensive patients. The average expenses for one year are 8 229 567.10 BGN-which sum is divided into two groups-expenses for monoproducts 67.73% and for combined products-32.27%. Blockbusters INNs are Nebivolol, Lercanidipine and Moxonidine. Conclusions. The indicators of drug utilization shows that in Bulgaria for first-line treatment of AH are chosen beta-blockers Nebivolol and Bisoprolol, followed by Calcium antagonist Lercanidipine, and centrally acting antiadrenergic agents Moxonidine and Rilmenidine. In all section analyses, the considerable use of Lercanidipine is evident. These obtained results are inconsistent with the recommendations of European Society of Hypertension.