Profile of drug consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in a pharmacy in the city of Teresina-PI

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the consumption of vitamin, flu, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic medications before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a community pharmacy in Teresina, in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Methods: This retrospective observational case study evaluated the consumption of five classes of medications, including vitamins, flu, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic drugs, in the period before and in the pandemic. Data analyses were performed using the SPSS program, and p<0.05 was significant. Results: During the pandemic period, vitamin (36%), flu (34%), and antiparasitic (22%) drugs were the most consumed during the study period. The chi-square test of independence showed an association between medication consumption (influenza, ivermectin, antiparasitic, multivitamins, and vitamin C) and the COVID-19 pandemic. When comparing the period before and during the pandemic, it was observed that only the drug ivermectin used as off-label had an increase in consumption of 917.65%. Conclusion: The study corroborated the national and international results that observed a significant increase in the consumption of some medications, especially ivermectin and multivitamins. Then, our results reinforce the importance of the correct use of drugs, the risks of self-medication and the monitoring of patients using drugs in an off-label regimen.