Impact of COVID-19 on Prescribing Trends of Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Hepatitis C in Ontario, Canada : Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology | ACG

Secondary Logo

Journal Logo

Advanced Search
BRIEF COMMUNICATION

Impact of COVID-19 on Prescribing Trends of Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Hepatitis C in Ontario, Canada

Konstantelos, Natalia BSc1,2; Shakeri, Ahmad MSc1; McCormack, Daniel MSc3; Feld, Jordan J. MD, MPH4,5; Gomes, Tara PhD2,3,6; Tadrous, Mina PharmD, PhD1,2,3

Author Information

1Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;

2Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;

3ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;

4Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;

5Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;

6Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Correspondence: Mina Tadrous, PharmD, PhD. E-mail: [email protected].

The American Journal of Gastroenterology 116(8):p 1738-1740, August 2021. | DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001287

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are curative treatments for hepatitis C. However, initiation of these treatments requires adequate healthcare access. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in restrictions to healthcare services in March 2020. We examined the impact of COVID-19 on the number of individuals dispensed DAAs.

METHODS: 

This is a cross-sectional study examining the number of individuals dispensed DAAs in Ontario, Canada, from 2018 to 2020. Time-series models determined the impact of healthcare restrictions on DAA dispensations.

RESULTS: 

Healthcare restrictions resulted in a 49.3% decrease in DAA dispensations (P = 0.026).

DISCUSSION: 

COVID-19-related healthcare restrictions significantly affected access to DAAs. Studies exploring the long-term effects on reduced treatment are needed.

© 2021 by The American College of Gastroenterology

Full Text Access for Subscribers:

Log In Here
ACG Member Access
Log In Here

Not a Subscriber?

Buy
Request Permissions

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid