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Prescription for COVID-19 by non-medical professionals during the pandemic in Colombia: a cross-sectional study
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Nino-Orrego, Maria Jose
Baracaldo-Santamaría, Daniela
Patricia Ortiz, Claudia
Zuluaga, Heyde Patricia
Cruz-Becerra, Sthefany Alejandra
Soler, Franklin
Pérez-Acosta, Andrés M.
Delgado, Daniel Ricardo
Calderon-Ospina, Carlos-Alberto
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2022-02-07
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Resumen
La pandemia de COVID-19 generó un aumento en la automedicación, promovida en parte por la desinformación difundida durante la crisis sanitaria. En Colombia, diversas farmacias recomendaron medicamentos como ivermectina, azitromicina e hidroxicloroquina, fármacos sin eficacia comprobada para prevenir o tratar el COVID-19 y que pueden causar reacciones adversas (RAM), interacciones medicamentosas (IM), enmascaramiento de enfermedades y resistencia antimicrobiana. El estudio, de tipo observacional y transversal, utilizó la técnica de compra simulada (mystery shopping) en 482 establecimientos farmacéuticos de 16 departamentos de Colombia, mediante llamadas telefónicas que simulaban consultas de pacientes con síntomas de COVID-19. Los resultados mostraron que el 57,3% de los establecimientos recomendó algún producto para tratar la infección; los más sugeridos fueron azitromicina, ivermectina, acetaminofén, ibuprofeno y aspirina. En el 85,5% de los casos se indicó la dosis, pero solo el 14,5% informó sobre efectos adversos y el 9,4% mencionó posibles interacciones con alimentos, bebidas o suplementos. En conclusión, las farmacias en Colombia contribuyeron significativamente a la automedicación durante la pandemia, una práctica inadecuada dada la ausencia de tratamientos específicos para las formas leves de la enfermedad.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the behavior of self-medication (SM). Given the massive release of misleading information during the pandemic, some pharmacies recommend drugs such as ivermectin, azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine that are not useful for preventing or treating COVID-19 and could expose patients to unnecessary adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs), disease masking, and antibiotic resistance. Rationale: SM with drugs advertised for COVID-19 can have consequences, and people should be aware of approved uses, potential contraindications, and ADRs. Thus, the aim of this study was to know the drug therapies including natural products and homeopathic drugs offered by Colombian pharmaceutical establishments for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as well as the information provided on the safe use of the product. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional mystery shopping study was carried out to determine the pharmaceutical alternatives for the management of COVID-19 offered by pharmaceutical establishments (drugstores, pharmacies, homeopathic pharmacies, and nutritional supplements stores) in Colombia, and information related to the safe use of the product. The study included 482 pharmaceutical establishments from 16 Colombian departments. Data collection was done through telephone calls to each of the establishments following an interview protocol pretending to be a patient who presents symptoms related to COVID-19. Results: About 57.3% (276) of the establishments recommended a product for the treatment of COVID-19 infection, 66.6% (321) asked whether the caller had COVID-19 symptoms and what they are, and 44.2% (213) suggested taking a COVID-19 test. Of 59 drugs suggested by pharmacies, the most recommended were azithromycin, ivermectin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and ASA (aspirin). From the establishments that recommended a product, dosage was indicated in 85.5% (236) of the pharmaceutical establishments and 14.5% (40) of the establishments reported the most common adverse effects of this substance. About 9.4% (26) of the establishments reported possible interactions of the recommended drugs and substances with food, beverages, or supplements. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical establishments in Colombia seem to have significantly contributed to self-medication for COVID-19 in Colombia during the pandemic. This behavior is inappropriate, since the mild forms of the disease do not have a specific treatment.
Palabras clave
COVID-19 , Automedicación , Farmacias , Ivermectina , Azitromicina , Colombia , Reacciones adversas , Interacciones medicamentosas , Pandemia , Uso racional de medicamentos
Keywords
Colombia , COVID-19 , Medical prescriptions , Pharmacies , Self-medication
