The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures dramatically altered healthcare access and prescription habits in France, particularly affecting outpatient antibiotic consumption. Analyzing data from 2020 to 2022 reveals a significant shift in systemic antibiotic usage compared to previous trends. Researchers utilized nationwide health insurance records covering approximately 67 million individuals to monitor monthly antibiotic prescriptions over a twelve-year period, employing interrupted time-series analysis to pinpoint changes post-lockdown.

Following the initial national lockdown in March 2020, the use of most antibiotics experienced a notable decline, persisting for at least a year below expected levels. For instance, amoxicillin witnessed a substantial reduction, with figures dropping by 27.5% three months after the lockdown and further decreasing to 55.5% by the end of the first year. Similarly, other antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefepime also showed marked decreases. However, certain antibiotics such as colistin, phenoxymethylpenicillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole exhibited temporary increases, likely due to their chronic indications. Interestingly, azithromycin usage did not significantly decrease immediately after the lockdown but eventually saw a slight increase over the following year.

This study underscores the profound influence of the pandemic on antibiotic prescription patterns, suggesting that prior to the pandemic, some antibiotics may have been overprescribed, especially for respiratory and urinary tract infections. The findings imply a potential positive impact on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, which could contribute to mitigating antimicrobial resistance—a global health concern. By understanding these shifts, healthcare providers can refine prescribing practices, promoting more judicious antibiotic use and safeguarding public health.