• Millie Y Wang, Murray L Barclay, ChinPaul K LPKL0000-0002-5470-5191Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.Department of Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand., and Matthew P Doogue.
• Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Intern Med J. 2023 Jun 1; 53 (6): 917922917-922.

BackgroundNew Zealand went into lockdown March 2020 successfully eliminating the circulation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus. During lockdown there were reduced rates of respiratory infections and hospital admission numbers were low. At the time, rumours of benefit and harm of medicines for COVID-19 were widespread in the lay and medical media.AimTo describe changes in inpatient prescribing in an acute general medicine service during the New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.MethodsRates of prescribing of medicines during the 33 days of lockdown were compared with a 33-day control period before lockdown. Prescriptions, patients and bed days were calculated from the hospital patient administration and electronic prescribing and administration systems.ResultsIn the general medicine service, acute admissions were 20% lower during lockdown (from 1216 pre-lockdown to 974). There was a small decrease in the rate of prescriptions per patient (10.1 vs 10.4, P = 0.01) during lockdown, and the average length of stay was shorter (3.2 vs 3.6 days). Nebulised administration decreased by 75% (1.3% vs 5.3% of admissions) but unexpectedly there was no change in the prescribing rates of antibacterial medicines, e.g. amoxicillin (26% vs 26%). There were no changes in rates of prescribing of medicines being rumoured to potentially improve (e.g. hydroxychloroquine) or worsen (e.g. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) COVID-19 outcomes.ConclusionsAcute medical admissions decreased 20% during lockdown for COVID-19, with a proportional decrease in prescriptions. Reduced rates of respiratory tract infections did not lead to decreased prescribing of antibacterial medicines. Rumour-based prescribing did not eventuate.© 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

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