MADRID, 13 (EUROPA PRESS)
The episodes of high temperatures in recent weeks, as well as the succession of tropical nights, are not associated with increased medication use, according to a comparative study by clinical research services provider IQVIA.
Their data shows that sales declines in this category coincide with the summer, Christmas, and Easter holiday periods, with a particularly significant drop in August 2024 and April of this year.
Comparing sales data for these drugs from previous years (2023/2024), a consistent decline in consumption is observed, directly linked to holiday periods. In this regard, IQVIA confirms that Spaniards decrease their consumption of these drug categories during the holidays.
Likewise, the trend of recent weeks indicates that the decline in sales of these categories will continue in the coming days, even though we are immersed in one of the most extreme temperature episodes of the year.
COVID TEST SALES IN PHARMACIES SOAR AND GROW BY 125% SINCE MAY
Another comparative study by IQVIA shows that during the winter of this year, sales of these self-diagnostic tests, whether combined with seasonal flu detection tests or not, peaked.
After this peak (almost 180,000 boxes sold per week), sales progressively declined, reaching approximately 55,000 boxes per week in May. However, starting in the second week of that same month, sales recovered, and during July, they exceeded 123,000 boxes per week, representing a 125% increase, according to IQVIA.
This increase in sales shows a clear upward trend, consistent with a higher incidence of respiratory viruses and the arrival of new coronavirus variants. According to reports issued by health authorities, "they do not present symptoms of severity compared to other variants, although they do have a higher rate of transmissibility, especially in recent weeks."
On the other hand, IQVIA reports that, since the beginning of this year, sales of these tests have reached nearly €8 million in pharmacies alone.
