Author/Authors :
Najafi, Ali Molecular Biology Research Center - Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ghanei, Mostafa Chemical Injuries Research Center - Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Janbabaei, Ghasem Department of Hematology Oncology - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Velayati, Ali Akbar Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Saadat, Hassan Behavioral Sciences Research Center - Lifestyle Institute - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Jamaati, Hamidreza Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Tabarsi, Payam Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Dastan, Farzaneh Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ram, Malihe Department of Biostatistics - Ferdows Paramedical School - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand , Darabi, Enayat School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Fathi, Saeid Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Tehran, Tehran , Gholami Fesharaki, Mohammad Biostatistics Department - Faculty of Medical Sciences - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran , Ghazale, Amir Hosein Student Research Committee - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Saloo, Shahrzad Student Research Committee - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak quickly has
spread and became a pandemic. However, no approved therapeutics or
effective treatment is available for the treatment of these patients. The present
study was done to retrospectively assess the treatment strategies (e.g.,
pharmaceutical care services) for COVID-19 patients in selected hospitals and
highlight the importance of such services in the management of a pandemic.
Materials and Methods: Data from a series of COVID-19 patients (978 patients;
658 males [66.9%] and 324 females [33.1%]) admitted to the selected hospitals in
Tehran from 20 February to 19 March 2020 were retrieved retrospectively from
the Health Information System (HIS) of the hospitals. The statistical tests were
used for analyzing the effect and correlation of the variables (drugs) with the
average length of stay (ALOS) in the hospital.
Results: Diverse medication classes and old drugs with or without strong
evidence of therapeutic effects against the novel coronavirus, some previously
tried as a treatment for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, were mostly used for the
treatment of patients in the hospitals. Many medications (broad-spectrum
antibiotics and antivirals) or combination therapies are used without evidence
of their therapeutic effects during pandemics.
Conclusion: Therefore, guidelines should be provided for the off-label use of
these drugs by policymakers and stakeholders during a pandemic emergency
due to high demands. Also, monitoring of the HIS data can play an important
role in improving public health response to emerging diseases.
