University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Trends in mean weekly prescriptions dispensed between February 16 and April 25, 2020 for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, azithromycin, and the top 10 drugs of 2019 were analyzed. 

During the week of March 15-March 21, prescription fills for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine increased compared to 2019:
+ 1,977.0% for <28 tablet fills
+179.0% for 28-60 tablet fills
+ 182.1% for >60 tablet fills

In total, there were 483,425 excess prescription fills of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine during the 10-week period in 2020 compared with 2019..

Prescription Fill Patterns for Commonly Used Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Vaduganathan M, van Meijgaard J, Mehra MR, Joseph J, O’Donnell CJ, Warraich HJ. Prescription Fill Patterns for Commonly Used Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. JAMA. Published online May 28, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.9184
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2766773

This surge in prescription fills for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine followed/corresponded with the WHO declaration of a global pandemic, the US declaration of a national emergency, a single-group non-randomized study, and President Trump’s support of the drug. 
A reduction in refills after this surge could indicate a shortage of available medication for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.. Drug shortages of hydroxychloroquine had been reported to the USFDA beginning March 31, 2020. 

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