A new study led by scientists at the University of NSW and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has examined the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on antibiotic dispensing in Australia.
The study – published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – revealed a 36 per cent drop in antibiotic prescription rates following the COVID-19 restrictions despite stable rates of GP consultations.
Australia is in the top quarter of high-income countries for antibiotic use. Inappropriate prescribing throat infections has been estimated to account for 40 per cent of antibiotics prescribed by Australian GPs.
The study showed the reduction of antibiotics prescribed by GPs were primarily used for respiratory tract infections. There were no reductions in prescribing of antibiotics used to treat non-respiratory infections.
The researchers said the drop in antibiotic dispensing continued into winter, a contrast to the seasonality of antibiotic prescribing before the pandemic.
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