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

Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Aug 1;116(8):1738-1740. 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.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ontario

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents