A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics has shed light on the variable usage and increasing costs of antiviral treatments for pediatric influenza in the United States (U.S.). The study, conducted by a team of researchers, aimed to analyze the trends in antiviral prescriptions and costs based on dispensing rates.
Influenza is highly prevalent among children in the U.S., with approximately 10% of children experiencing symptomatic influenza and nearly 30% being infected with asymptomatic influenza each year. Children with underlying health conditions face an increased risk of complications, such as lower respiratory tract infections, seizures, encephalitis, and bacterial meningitis, which can lead to hospitalization and even death.
To mitigate the spread of the infection within households, reduce the duration of illness, and prevent complications like pneumonia and otitis media that require increased healthcare costs, antivirals are often prescribed to treat influenza infections in children in outpatient settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset for treating influenza infections in children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four antivirals for influenza treatment: intravenous peramivir, inhaled zanamivir, and oral oseltamivir or baloxavir. Among these, oseltamivir is the only option approved for children of all ages, particularly those under five years old.
The study aimed to understand the patterns of antiviral usage in the pediatric population across the U.S. Previous studies following the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic reported that despite recommendations for antiviral use, only 15% of individuals with confirmed influenza infections received oseltamivir. Additionally, antiviral usage varied significantly across influenza seasons and geographic locations.
The researchers speculated that recent antiviral prescription patterns could be influenced by factors such as availability, uncertainties regarding efficacy and potential risks, and costs. Therefore, an updated analysis of antiviral usage in treating pediatric influenza and optimizing prescriptions is crucial. For this cross-sectional study, data collected from individuals under 18 years old between July 2010 and July 2019 was analyzed.
Pharmacy dispensing claims for zanamivir, baloxavir, and oseltamivir in the outpatient setting were used to identify antiviral usage. The study excluded peramivir, as its administration is mainly limited to hospitalized individuals. The national guidelines defined acute infection treatment as prescribing antivirals for up to five days, while treatment for more than five days was considered prophylactic.
Data from the CDC’s Flu Activity and Surveillance program was utilized to evaluate seasonal influenza activity. The primary outcomes examined in the study were antiviral dispensing rates, calculated by dividing the total number of pharmacy claims for zanamivir, baloxavir, and oseltamivir by the number of children enrolled in the outpatient setting. Dispensing rates for both treatment and prophylactic use were analyzed based on the duration of prescribed antiviral usage.
The results revealed significant variation in the costs and usage of antivirals for treating pediatric influenza. The rates of guideline-concordant antiviral treatment for young children at high risk of complications associated with influenza infections were found to be low. Furthermore, antiviral treatment for influenza infections varied greatly across different geographic regions.
The study also found that while children under six years old were more susceptible to symptomatic infections, antiviral usage for treating influenza infections was higher among children between the ages of six and 17 years. Only 37% of children under two years old and 34% of children between two and five years old received antiviral treatment for influenza infections.
Additionally, the study revealed that over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in both antiviral utilization and the cost of antivirals for treating influenza infections. There were also intermittent periods of oseltamivir shortages.
In conclusion, the study highlighted significant variability in the usage of antivirals to treat pediatric influenza, including variations based on age and geographic location. The researchers also reported a notable increase in antiviral costs over the past decade and low antiviral usage among children under the age of six. These findings emphasize the need for improvement in the treatment of pediatric influenza infections.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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