@article{ref1,
title="Comparing actual and forecasted numbers of unique patients dispensed select medications for opioid use disorder, opioid overdose reversal, and mental health,  during the COVID-19 pandemic, United States, January 2019 to May 2020",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2021",
author="Jones, Christopher M. and Board, Amy and Guy, Gery P. Jr",
volume="219",
number="",
pages="e108486-e108486",
abstract="BACKGROUND: COVID-19 community mitigation measures (e.g., stay-at-home orders) may worsen mental health and substance use-related harms such as opioid use disorder and  overdose and limit access to medications for these conditions. We used  nationally-representative data to assess dispensing of select substance use and  mental health medications during the pandemic in the U.S. <br><br>METHODS: IQVIA Total  Patient Tracker data were used to calculate U.S. monthly numbers of unique patients  dispensed buprenorphine, extended-release (ER) intramuscular naltrexone, naloxone,  selective serotonin or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors,  benzodiazepines, and for comparison, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and  angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) between January 2019-May 2020. Forecasted  estimates of number of unique patients dispensed medications, generated by  exponential smoothing statistical forecasting, were compared to actual numbers of  patients by month to examine access during mitigation measures (March 2020-May  2020). <br><br>RESULTS: Between March 2020-May 2020, numbers of unique patients dispensed  buprenorphine and numbers dispensed naloxone were within forecasted estimates. Numbers dispensed ER intramuscular naltrexone were significantly below forecasted  estimates in March 2020 (-1039; 95 %CI:-1528 to -550), April 2020 (-2139; 95  %CI:-2629 to -1650), and May 2020 (-2498; 95 %CI:-2987 to -2009). Numbers dispensed  antidepressants and benzodiazepines were significantly above forecasted estimates in  March 2020 (977,063; 95 %CI:351,384 to 1,602,743 and 450,074; 95 % CI:189,999 to  710,149 additional patients, respectively), but were within forecasted estimates in  April 2020-May 2020. Dispensing patterns for statins and ARBs were similar to those  for antidepressants and benzodiazepines. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing concerns about the  impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use and mental health underscore the  need for innovative strategies to facilitate continued access to treatment.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108486",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108486"
}