Author Interviews, COVID -19 Coronavirus / 10.07.2023
Antibiotics’ Usage Increased During COVID-19 Pandemic
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Fernanda Lessa, MD, MPH
Chief, CDC’s International Infection Control Program
Co-author of the paper
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Data from low- and middle-income countries on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic use among outpatients are sparse.
This study evaluated the changes in prescribing rates of antibiotics commonly prescribed for respiratory tract infections by outpatient providers among adults in Brazil. We observed increases during the pandemic in outpatient prescriptions of azithromycin and ceftriaxone of up 360% and 90%, respectively, based on age and sex.
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