- Prescription Fill Patterns for Commonly Used Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Journal of American Medical Association Papers for Health Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Drug Treatment

- Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA)

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The sensationalizing of certain medications as treatment for COVID-19 in the media and by prominent public figures despite lack of scientific support has led to a range of public responses. 

Health Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Drug Treatment

References for Health Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Drug Treatment by Journal/Source

Trends in mean weekly prescriptions dispensed between February 16 and April 25, 2020 for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, azithromycin, and the top 10 drugs of 2019 were analyzed. 

During the week of March 15-March 21, prescription fills for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine increased compared to 2019:
+ 1,977.0% for <28 tablet fills
+179.0% for 28-60 tablet fills
+ 182.1% for >60 tablet fills

In total, there were 483,425 excess prescription fills of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine during the 10-week period in 2020 compared with 2019..

Learn Before

Related

Learn After