Utilization of drugs with reports on potential efficacy or harm on COVID-19 before, during, and after the first pandemic wave.

Enners, S; Gradl, G; Kieble, M; Böhm, M; Laufs, U; Schulz, M

Utilization of drugs with reports on potential efficacy or harm on COVID-19 before, during, and after the first pandemic wave.

Enners, S Gradl, G Kieble, M Böhm, M Laufs, U Schulz, M

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Publisher:: John Wiley and Sons
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2021, 30, (11), pp. 1493-1503
Issue Date:: 2021-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Enners, S
dc.contributor.author	Gradl, G
dc.contributor.author	Kieble, M
dc.contributor.author	Böhm, M
dc.contributor.author	Laufs, U
dc.contributor.author	Schulz, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5876-7322
dc.date.accessioned	2021-11-05T04:17:25Z
dc.date.available	2021-07-02
dc.date.available	2021-11-05T04:17:25Z
dc.date.issued	2021-11
dc.identifier.citation	Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2021, 30, (11), pp. 1493-1503
dc.identifier.issn	1053-8569
dc.identifier.issn	1099-1557
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151365
dc.description.abstract	Purpose Conflicting information on potential benefits of drugs as well as reports on hypothetical harm of commonly used drugs in COVID-19 treatment have challenged clinicians and healthcare systems. We analyzed the change in ambulatory drug utilization before, during, and after the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. Methods We explored dispensing data of nearly 19 000 pharmacies at the expense of the statutory health insurance funds covering 88% of Germany's population. We analyzed utilization of publicly discussed drugs with conflicting information. Drug utilization as number of packages dispensed per week from January to June 2020, reflecting 314 million claims, was compared with 2019. Results Utilization of hydroxychloroquine increased +110% during March 2020 and then slightly decreased until week April 13–19. Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors and simvastatin/atorvastatin increased, +78% and +74%, respectively, and subsequently decreased below 2019 levels. Utilization of azithromycin and all systemic antibiotics decreased continuously from March 2–8 until June to levels considerably lower compared to 2019 (June 22–28: azithromycin: −55%, all systemic antibiotics: −27%). Pneumococcal vaccines utilization initially increased +373%, followed by supply shortages. Paracetamol utilization showed an initial increase of +111%, mainly caused by an increase of over-the-counter dispensings. Conclusions Apart from the pandemic itself, the data suggest that dissemination of misinformation and unsound speculations as well as supply shortages influenced drug prescribing, utilization, and purchasing behavior. The findings can inform post-pandemic policy to prevent unfounded over- and underprescribing and off-label use as well as drug shortages during a public health crisis.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	John Wiley and Sons
dc.relation.ispartof	Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/pds.5324
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Pharmacology & Pharmacy
dc.title	Utilization of drugs with reports on potential efficacy or harm on COVID-19 before, during, and after the first pandemic wave.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	30
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-11-05T04:17:21Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	30
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

Purpose Conflicting information on potential benefits of drugs as well as reports on hypothetical harm of commonly used drugs in COVID-19 treatment have challenged clinicians and healthcare systems. We analyzed the change in ambulatory drug utilization before, during, and after the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. Methods We explored dispensing data of nearly 19 000 pharmacies at the expense of the statutory health insurance funds covering 88% of Germany's population. We analyzed utilization of publicly discussed drugs with conflicting information. Drug utilization as number of packages dispensed per week from January to June 2020, reflecting 314 million claims, was compared with 2019. Results Utilization of hydroxychloroquine increased +110% during March 2020 and then slightly decreased until week April 13–19. Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors and simvastatin/atorvastatin increased, +78% and +74%, respectively, and subsequently decreased below 2019 levels. Utilization of azithromycin and all systemic antibiotics decreased continuously from March 2–8 until June to levels considerably lower compared to 2019 (June 22–28: azithromycin: −55%, all systemic antibiotics: −27%). Pneumococcal vaccines utilization initially increased +373%, followed by supply shortages. Paracetamol utilization showed an initial increase of +111%, mainly caused by an increase of over-the-counter dispensings. Conclusions Apart from the pandemic itself, the data suggest that dissemination of misinformation and unsound speculations as well as supply shortages influenced drug prescribing, utilization, and purchasing behavior. The findings can inform post-pandemic policy to prevent unfounded over- and underprescribing and off-label use as well as drug shortages during a public health crisis.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151365