OBJECTIVES

Although the number of confirmed cases and deaths for COVID-19 in Japan has been low compared to the US and Europe, the pandemic has had a substantial impact on life in Japan. A state-of-emergency was enacted on April 7 for specific areas and was subsequently expanded to the rest of country on April 16. Those living in Japan were encouraged to stay indoors and avoid non-emergency hospital and pharmacy visits during the state-of-emergency. This research examined the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy visits in Japan using nationwide real-world data.

METHODS

A large nationwide prescription database was used to examine the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy visits by observing prescriptions filled and the duration of prescriptions for May 2020 compared to May 2019. The impact of COVID-19 in terms of volume and duration of prescriptions filled was examined by region and therapy area.

RESULTS

A substantial decline in prescriptions filled was observed for May 2020. The decline was highest for the Kanto region which includes Tokyo and other special alert prefectures with prescriptions filled being only 75% and 77% the level from May 2019, respectively. The decline was highest for prescriptions filled that originated from pediatric and otolaryngology departments with 42% and 55% of the number of prescriptions filled in May 2019, respectively. An increase in the duration of prescriptions (days) for May 2020 was observed with the duration being 116% the level observed in May 2019. The increase in duration of prescriptions was highest for the pediatric and otolaryngology departments with levels at 186% and 140%, respectively, compared to May 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Pandemics such as COVID-19 may lead to a substantial decline in access to care based on prescriptions filled. The impact may be biggest for the pediatric and otolaryngology departments which both tend to see younger children.