News Coverage and Drug Shortages during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Catillon, Maryaline; Majumder, Maimuna S.; Sf, Manzi; Mandl, Kenneth D

doi:10.1101/2020.10.12.20211656

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…At the start of our research study, both our study’s institutions as well as centers nationally were utilizing azithromycin with or without hydroxychloroquine as medical treatment for confirmed cases of COVID-19. This widespread repurposing of azithromycin as a COVID-19 treatment resulted in national shortages of the azithromycin [ 7 , 8 ]. While published reports on this shortage of azithromycin due to COVID-19 utilization specifically in the United States are sparse, there are two recent studies [ 8 , 9 ] that highlight the shortage’s timeline and extent.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This widespread repurposing of azithromycin as a COVID-19 treatment resulted in national shortages of the azithromycin [ 7 , 8 ]. While published reports on this shortage of azithromycin due to COVID-19 utilization specifically in the United States are sparse, there are two recent studies [ 8 , 9 ] that highlight the shortage’s timeline and extent. For example, a report by Badreldin and Attalah [ 7 ] describes the global drug shortages due to COVID-19 and the impact it had on limiting azithromycin for usual treatments secondary to its repurposing as a COVID-19 treatment.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Per the authors, this shortage was caused mainly by the resultant stockpiling and hoarding behaviors of azithromycin in response. Another recent study by Catillon et all [ 8 ] gathered data regarding reporting about medicines that were repurposed as COVID-19 treatments and noted to be in shortage by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Reporting regarding shortage of azithromycin specifically was noted to first rise around March 15, 2020 and peak around April 10, 2020.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Information about SARS-CoV-2 is evolving rapidly, and interim guidance by multiple organizations is constantly being updated and expanded [ 3 – 6 ]. Given the acute nature of this pandemic, a wide variety of medical resources are being rapidly consumed resulting in an insult to the global supply chain and nationwide shortages of medications, personal protective equipment, and many other essential items [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the start of this specific research study, many institutions were utilizing azithromycin with or without hydroxychloroquine [ 3 ] as medical treatment for confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in national shortages of the azithromycin [ 7 , 8 ] limiting its use for previously routine treatments, including adjunct surgical antibiotic prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean deliveries. However, as this study continued and more evidence was gathered globally on the effectiveness of this treatment approach, it was determined that there was no benefit for the use of azithromycin with or without hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19, which ceased its use across institutions [ 9 – 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clarithromycin use for adjunct surgical prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean deliveries to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic

Martingano

Nguyen²,

Nkeih

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Objective This study aimed to evaluate safety and effectiveness of clarithromycin as adjunctive antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing non-elective cesarean delivery in comparison with no macrolides, to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic. Study design We conducted a multi-center, prospective observational cohort study from March 23, 2020 through June 1, 2020. We followed all women receiving either clarithromycin or no macrolide antibiotic for adjunct surgical prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean deliveries. The primary outcome was development of postpartum endometritis. Secondary outcomes included meconium-stained amniotic fluid at time of cesarean delivery, neonatal sepsis, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. All patients in this study were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and resulted negative. Results This study included 240 patients, with 133 patients receiving clarithromycin and 107 patients receiving no adjunct macrolide prophylaxis. Patients receiving clarithromycin were noted to have significantly lower rates of postpartum endometritis as compared to those who did not receive adjunct prophylaxis (4.5% versus 11.2%, p = 0.025). In crude (unadjusted) analysis, a significantly lower risk of developing endometritis was noted in the clarithromycin group as compared to the control group (66% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.95, p = 0.040). When adjusted for perceived confounders, a significant difference was again noted (67% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.97, p = 0.034). Stratified analysis of significantly different demographic factors including Black race, BMI, and age was performed. A significantly decreased risk of development of endometritis when taking clarithromycin versus no adjunct macrolide was noted for Black race women in crude and adjusted models (crude: 87% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.83, p = 0.032; adjusted: 91% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.79, p = 0.026). This was also noted for women aged 18–29 years in crude and adjusted models (crude: model, 79% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.80, p = 0.014; adjusted model: 75% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.94, p = 0.028). All other stratified analyses did not yield significant differences in endometritis risk. Conclusion Our study suggests that administration of clarithromycin for adjunctive surgical prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean deliveries may be a safe option that may provide suitable endometritis prophylaxis in cases where azithromycin is unavailable, as was the case during the start of COVID-19 pandemic, most especially for Black race women and women ages 18–29 years.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Clarithromycin use for adjunct surgical prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean deliveries to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic

Martingano

Nguyen²,

Nkeih

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Buy now or regret later: Social media-induced panic buying of medical supplies during COVID-19

Parveen

Ajina

Habbas

et al. 2022

Innovative Marketing

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A huge body of research analyzed panic buying during the pandemic; however, there is a dearth of studies scrutinizing social media triggering panic buying of drugs and medical supplies. This study assesses the impact of social media on panic buying of drugs and medical supplies during COVID-19. An online survey was conducted in the Delhi-NCR region (India) using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data were collected from the respondents (N = 250) who were youngsters considering their pivotal role in the battle against COVID-19. Regression analysis in SPSS was used to process the data. The results manifested a strong impact of social media on buying behavior during COVID-19. Perceived scarcity (p = .000), perceived quality (p = .000), perceived cost (p = .000) of medical supplies, and fear-of-missing-out (p = .000) were found to strongly influence panic buying. Further, perceived scarcity was found to have a significant impact on FOMO (p = .0400). At the same time, perceived cost also had a substantial effect on perceived quality (p = .0100). The results indicated that perceived scarcity did not affect perceived quality (p = .0600). People indulged in hoarding during COVID-19 to remove their fear of missing out. The perception of scarcity of medicines, the quality degradation that may happen later, or the likelihood that costs may increase in the future contributed fairly to people stockpiling. Perceived scarcity also induced fear of missing out, while perception about the quality was dependent on perceived cost.

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Expert Credibility and Sentiment in Infodemiology of Hydroxychloroquine’s Efficacy on Cable News Programs: Empirical Analysis

Yim¹,

Khuntia²,

King³

et al. 2023

JMIR Infodemiology

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Background Infodemic exacerbates public health concerns by disseminating unreliable and false scientific facts to a population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine as a therapeutic solution emerged as a challenge to public health communication. Internet and social media spread information about hydroxychloroquine, whereas cable television was a vital source. To exemplify, experts discussed in cable television broadcasts about hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19. However, how the experts’ comments influenced airtime allocation on cable television to help in public health communication, either during COVID-10 or at other times, is not understood. Objective This study aimed to examine how 3 factors, that is, the credibility of experts as doctors (DOCTOREXPERT), the credibility of government representatives (GOVTEXPERT), and the sentiments (SENTIMENT) expressed in discussions and comments, influence the allocation of airtime (AIRTIME) in cable television broadcasts. SENTIMENT pertains to the information credibility conveyed through the tone and language of experts’ comments during cable television broadcasts, in contrast to the individual credibility of the doctor or government representatives because of the degree or affiliations. Methods We collected transcriptions of relevant hydroxychloroquine-related broadcasts on cable television between March 2020 and October 2020. We coded the experts as DOCTOREXPERT or GOVTEXPERT using publicly available data. To determine the sentiments expressed in the broadcasts, we used a machine learning algorithm to code them as POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, NEUTRAL, or MIXED sentiments. Results The analysis revealed a counterintuitive association between the expertise of doctors (DOCTOREXPERT) and the allocation of airtime, with doctor experts receiving less airtime (P<.001) than the nonexperts in a base model. A more nuanced interaction model suggested that government experts with a doctorate degree received even less airtime (P=.03) compared with nonexperts. Sentiments expressed during the broadcasts played a significant role in airtime allocation, particularly for their direct effects on airtime allocation, more so for NEGATIVE (P<.001), NEUTRAL (P<.001), and MIXED (P=.03) sentiments. Only government experts expressing POSITIVE sentiments during the broadcast received a more extended airtime (P<.001) than nonexperts. Furthermore, NEGATIVE sentiments in the broadcasts were associated with less airtime both for DOCTOREXPERT (P<.001) and GOVTEXPERT (P<.001). Conclusions Source credibility plays a crucial role in infodemics by ensuring the accuracy and trustworthiness of the information communicated to audiences. However, cable television media may prioritize likeability over credibility, potentially hindering this goal. Surprisingly, the findings of our study suggest that doctors did not get good airtime on hydroxychloroquine-related discussions on cable television. In contrast, government experts as sources received more airtime on hydroxychloroquine-related discussions. Doctors presenting facts with negative sentiments may not help them gain airtime. Conversely, government experts expressing positive sentiments during broadcasts may have better airtime than nonexperts. These findings have implications on the role of source credibility in public health communications.

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News Coverage and Drug Shortages during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Clarithromycin use for adjunct surgical prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean deliveries to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic

Clarithromycin use for adjunct surgical prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean deliveries to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic

Buy now or regret later: Social media-induced panic buying of medical supplies during COVID-19

Expert Credibility and Sentiment in Infodemiology of Hydroxychloroquine’s Efficacy on Cable News Programs: Empirical Analysis

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