The role of professional socialisation in reducing drug-related problems during COVID-19: a new insight for future pandemics

Abstract

A drug-related problem (DRP) is “an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes” [1]. DRPs can be classifed into problems in drug indication, efectiveness, safety, knowledge, or adherence [1]. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has overwhelmed almost all nations, leading to millions of deaths and devastating economic losses. There were two major themes for the frst wave of COVID-19: frst, lockdowns and restriction measures, and, second, absence of an efective treatment for the disease. As a consequence, currently used drugs were repurposed to be used against COVID-19, sometimes, without a comprehensive assessment of their safety. There have been many reports indicating a dramatic increase in drug use during COVID-19 [2, 3]