Respiratory antibacterial prescribing in primary care and the COVID-19 pandemic in England, winter season 2020-21.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antibacterial prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) accounts for almost half of all prescribing in primary care. Nearly a quarter of antibacterial prescribing in primary care is estimated to be inappropriate, the greatest being for RTIs. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the provision of healthcare services and impacted the levels of antibacterials prescribed.

Objectives

To describe the changes in community antibacterial prescribing for RTIs in winter 2020-21 in England.

Methods

RTI antibacterial prescribing was measured in prescription items/1000 population for primary care from January 2014 and in DDDs/1000 population/day for the totality of RTI prescribing [combined with Accident & Emergency (A&E) in secondary care], from January 2016 to Fe

SUBMITTER: Andrews A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9383059 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature