Trends in fluoroquinolone prescribing in UK primary and secondary care between 2019 and 2023.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Fluoroquinolones are important antibiotics but have associations with a number of adverse outcomes. A recent (January 2024) decision by the UK drug regulator, the Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA), restricted systemic use of these antibiotics to when 'absolutely necessary'. One stated reason for the ban was the failure of previous guidance (2019, 2023) to reduce prescribing, with the MHRA stating there had been 'no change in prescribing' of fluoroquinolones in relation to guidance.

Methods

We evaluated the trend in prescribing of fluoroquinolones and comparator antibiotics using national data for all primary care practices in England from 2019 to 2023. We calculated the percent change in prescribing of fluoroquinolones using linear regression, com

SUBMITTER: Hamilton F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11787900 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature