The Problem
During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were substantial concerns about the safety of several medications (diabetes medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cardiovascular medications) commonly prescribed in the community. For example, there were concerns that taking medications such as Ibuprofen would increase the susceptibility of a patient to develop COVID-19. This was extremely critical to establish as millions of people globally take Ibuprofen and similar medications to manage both acute and chronic pain.
Our Impact
We partnered with Cegedim Rx to provide using DExtER a series of pharmaco-epidemiology studies to confirm the safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, NSAIDs, metformin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The completion of these studies, led to reassuring messages provided to clinicians and demonstrated in real-time DExtER’s capability to undertake pharmacovigilance research.
