GP prescribing of antibiotics was almost 7 per cent higher than expected during the first lockdown in England, according to an analysis published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Researchers examined NHS England data and found that the number of antibiotic prescriptions made in general practice between 1 April 2020 and 31 August 2020 was more than 10 million, 15.48 per cent lower than the figure for the corresponding period in 2019. However, given the decrease in the absolute number of appointments over this time, this number of prescriptions is 6.71 per cent higher than expected – a statistically significant increase (P<.0001).
The decrease in the absolute number of antibiotic prescriptions reflects the trend of decreasing antibiotic consumption in general practice since 2014, the authors say. However, the unexpectedly high rate of prescribing during COVID-19 might reflect additional instances of inappropriate antibiotic use in telephone consultations.
They say the data support evidence that antibiotic prescribing rates are higher in remote consultations than during in-person appointments. This increase could reflect the greater diagnostic uncertainty that results from an inability to examine patients and perform investigations during telephone appointments, which might lead clinicians to take greater precautions in cases of possible infection.
Previous research suggests 70 per cent of patients with COVID-19 receive antibiotics when not clinically indicated. The authors say these data “reflect growing concerns that COVID-19 might be contributing to antimicrobial resistance” and say that as telephone appointments are likely to remain in place for some time, clinicians must be supported to use antibiotics appropriately.
