Changes in the Ambulatory Use of Antibiotics in France Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020-2022: A Nationwide Time-Series Analysis

Abstract

We estimated the changes in the ambulatory use of antibiotics in France due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2022 by conducting time-series analyses using nationwide data from French health insurance databases. We examined all systemic antibiotics dispensed from January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2022. Use of most antibiotics decreased during the 3-month period following the start of first lockdown (March 17, 2020), and these decreases persisted 12 months later. Some initial increases indicated potential stockpiling for antibiotics used for chronic indications. Azithromycin constituted a noticeable exception. In a context of reduced circulation of non–COVID-19 viruses, the observed decreases compared with forecasts could partly reflect habitual overuse of certain antibiotics.