RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changes in the Ambulatory Use of Antibiotics in France Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020-2022: A Nationwide Time-Series Analysis
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 158
OP 161
DO 10.1370/afm.230633
VO 23
IS 2
A1 Rousselot, Nicolas
A1 Brayan, Tchassim
A1 Dumartin, Catherine
A1 Clément, Mathieu
A1 Pariente, Antoine
YR 2025
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/23/2/158.abstract
AB 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.