Sales of flu testing reagents in pharmacies have doubled, and demand for masks has increased by 76%

Sales of flu testing reagents in pharmacies have doubled, and demand for masks has increased by 76%EP

Number of influenza tests in Europe The last few weeks of 2023 have doubled compared with the same period in 2022, but the number of flu tests has halved, According to the latest influenza report for December 2023 Published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In December 2023, a total of 709,994 influenza tests were conducted in the European region, of which 17,313 people tested positive for influenza. Apart from, 95% of tested cases were influenza Influenza A and 5% for Influenza B. During the same period in 2022, 551,767 influenza tests were conducted and 26,286 influenza cases were detected, of which 93% were influenza A and 7% were influenza B.

Likewise, the report shows that global influenza testing has increased since the last report in October, approaching the epidemic threshold of 10%. On the other hand, influenza testing and the number of tested cases increased significantly, from 271,256 tests in October 2023 to 709,994 in December, and the number of tested cases increased from 1,900 in October to 17,313 in December.

In view of this situation, on December 15, ECDC has urged European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states to Step up vaccination campaigns and prepare for the possible need for increased emergency services and intensive care unit capacity, and considering a range of public health measures to reduce the impact of respiratory pathogens circulating this winter.

masks for sale

until Demand for masks in pharmacies increased by 76% in the first week of JanuaryCompared with the same period last year, due to Influenza and other respiratory viruses are making a comeback and measures mandated by the Ministry of Health for use in health centres.

according to Data comes from drug distributor Cofares Data provided to EFE shows that this increase in demand was observed throughout the Christmas holiday period, with a 35% increase in sales from December 25 to January 7 in particular, although more demand peaks were concentrated on January 1. The week of the month 1 to 7.

However, Cofares stated This sales peak is not tied to “out of stock” andSo far, there have been no shortages worldwide, although some pharmacies have experienced “occasional” shortages.

In itself, The Federation of Pharmaceutical Distributors (Fedifar) has also seen growth Although they were unaware there was a shortage of masks, demand has increased significantly across the country.

The increased demand has affected not only pharmacies but also other places where the product can be purchased, and purchasing it has become complicated in recent weeks.

According to data provided by consulting firm IQVIA, another product that has seen sales growth recently is Antigen tests detect influenza and covid-19.

in the last week of decemberdemand for these tests increased by 60% compared with the previous week, 1.6 million units sold.

By autonomous region, Andalusia and Catalonia have the highest concentration of sales volume, with the former at 18% and the latter at 16%, followed by the Autonomous Region of Madrid at 14%.

this The upward trend is expected to continue in the coming days

The peak of influenza and other respiratory viruses is expected to be reached in the third week of January.