Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic use in primary care

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), disruption of antimicrobial stewardship interventions has become a matter of concern. Antimicrobial resistance and the many unintended negative clinical consequences resulting from antibiotic misuse and overuse will persist and may potentially be aggravated by the pandemic, making it necessary to measure its impact on antibiotic use in all healthcare settings.

Antibiotic consumption increased in hospitals during the pandemic; however, no study has reported the effect on antibiotic use in the community. Our objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing in primary care in a region with an existing comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) for hospitals and primary care centres, the PIRASOA programme.