Asthma Drug Sales Soar Amidst Severe Winter and Pollution Spike

(CTN News) – According to estimates issued by data analytics companies IQVIA and Pharmarack, asthma drugs sold the most among medicines in January as a harsh winter mixed with alarming levels of pollution caused widespread respiratory issues.

Cardiovascular meds, anti-infection treatments, and gastrointestinal medications were the second most popular items sold in pharmacies.

In December, cardiac medications were the best-selling category. According to IQVIA’s January report, Foracort, used for asthma and respiratory difficulties, showed the greatest increase in sales, followed by insulins Mixtard and Lantus, Betadine, an antiseptic, Moxikind-CV, used to treat bacterial infections, and Levipil, an epileptic medicine.

Doctor Recommends Inhalers and Nebulisers as Precaution for Asthma Patients

 

Among cardiac medications, Enoxaparin, which is used to prevent blood clots in the leg in patients on bed rest, having a hip or knee replacement, or stomach surgery, had the largest monthly sales gain of 20% in January.

There was a significant increase in the number of asthma patients this time. We saw that the increase was not limited to a specific age group, but rather occurred across all age groups. However, we noticed a greater severity in the elderly.

Inhalers and nebulizers are recommended as a preventive step for asthma sufferers in the event of an emergency. Patients are maintained with an asthma action plan so that therapy can begin at home in the event of an emergency,” said Dr. Neetu Jain, senior consultant in pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine at PSRI Hospital.

In Delhi, January was the most polluted month since 2016, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 354. The highest average AQI in January was reported in 2016, at 370.

According to Central Pollution Control Board data, there were three’severe’ AQI days in January, as well as a prolonged period of polluted days with’very bad’ air quality for the majority of the time. Only one ‘bad’ air day was reported in January.

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