Abstracts by keywords: Covid-19
Hypertension is responsible for more than seven million deaths worldwide each year, accounting for approximately 13% of all deaths [1]. In Germany, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 60% of people aged 65 and over [2]. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases, affecting around 7% of people in Germany [3]. DM is one of the main risk factors for hypertension [4]. Most hypertension and DM patients require drug therapy, often polypharmacotherapy, to achieve optimal blood pressure and blood glucose control [4,5]. Several classes of drugs are recommended for the treatment of hypertension [4] and DM [5]. However, adherence to these therapies is still a common problem [6, 7]. The current coronavirus pandemic is having a major impact on healthcare systems around the world. Maintaining adherence in patients with chronic diseases during a pandemic can become a major challenge for physicians and pharmacies [8]. There is a risk that good care for Covid-19 patients could negatively impact the care of around 19 million patients with hypertension [9] and over 7 million patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [10]. To date, no studies have been published on prescriptions of antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications or patient adherence to these therapies during the pandemic. It is to be expected that people are less likely to be adherent to therapy during this time. The aim of this study was to examine the development of the number of patients who received cardiovascular or diabetic medications from pharmacies in the first quarter of 2020.
28.07.2020
In February 2020, the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) evolved into a pandemic, with the number of Covid-19 cases increasing dramatically in many countries [1,2]. Television and newspapers reported daily on the spread of the pandemic and quickly triggered fears of an impending economic crisis and recession among the population [3]. As early as February 2020, numerous reports appeared on the Internet stating that the spread of Covid-19 was affecting the global supply of medicines as many of the medicines used worldwide are manufactured in China and India, where production has come to a standstill due to disease outbreaks [4]. The German Minister of Health feared that the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to drug shortages in Europe, although there was no concrete evidence of short-term supply shortages [5]. Reports have been published in various countries that shelf-stable foods such as flour, pasta and canned goods were quickly selling out, leading to shortages [3]. At the same time, pharmacies reported bottlenecks in the antipyretic painkiller paracetamol due to the strong demand during the corona pandemic. The demand for over-the-counter vitamin preparations was also significantly higher than usual in March [6]. So far, no studies have been published on pharmacy sales of various medicines used to treat acute and chronic diseases during the pandemic. It can be assumed that patients will buy larger quantities of medication and request more prescriptions if they fear longer quarantines. The aim of this study was to examine the development of drug purchases during the corona crisis.
04.04.2020
Since the first publication of the "Thesis paper on the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 - improve the database, further develop prevention in a targeted manner, protect civil rights" on April 5th, 2020, the development has taken a rapid and sometimes surprising course. On April 15, 2020, at the conference of the Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister, measures to relax containment were taken on individual points (e.g. reopening of certain shops, some schools, etc.) (Anonymous 2020). This was preceded by the Leopoldina’s third ad hoc statement (Leopoldina 2020) on April 13, 2020, the European Commission’s recommendation of April 11, 2020 to relax containment measures in the EU area (European Commission 2020) and the statement by the non-university research institutions on April 28, 2020 (Kleiner et al. 2020). The result was partially contradictory recommendations, but overall the official side is sticking to the restriction of public life, access to education, freedom of occupation and some fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and demonstration. The conference of the Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister on April 30, 2020 did not deviate from this line either, but the importance of regional problem-solving skills was emphasized (point 3).
04.04.2020
The present text sets itself the task of scientifically clarifying the epidemiological problem and deriving recommendations for effective preventive measures from the given situation. The suggestions for prevention are placed in a socio-political framework which, for the authors, is inextricably linked to the facts described. The extensive analytical part is preceded by a shorter summary, which is intended to enable quick orientation about the points of view represented. As would be expected for a thesis paper, the most important results are condensed into three theses with corresponding sub-points, which can be found verbatim in the summary and at the end of the respective chapters. The authors strive to clearly identify the facts and problems. This does not mean any criticism of the people involved who in the past few weeks had to make decisions under the conditions of - the increase is permitted - "even more incomplete information" than is the case today. In every respect, the statements in this thesis paper are intended as constructive contributions with the purpose of supporting the decisions of the coming weeks.