Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of the pandemic on the patterns of medication usage for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in Saudi Arabia.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems and individual health practices, potentially disrupting the utilization of medications for chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Method: A repeated cross-sectional design was employed using data from the IQVIA database, covering the period from January 2019 to December 2023. Segmented regression analysis within the context of time series was utilized to identify consumption patterns before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Adjustments were made for population statistics to standardize the trends.
Results: Between January 2019 and December 2023, the total sales of PD medications decreased from 354,923 units in 2019 to 188,098 units in 2023, a reduction of 47%. Levodopa sales showed the most significant decline, dropping from 260,486 units in 2019 to 85,852 units in 2023 (a 67% reduction). Pramipexole sales declined from 71,928 units in 2019 to 76,319 units in 2023. Segmented regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant changes in sales trends following the pandemic onset, with levodopa showing the steepest trend change (–0.517; 95% CI: –0.783 to –0.251). Rotigotine and amantadine exhibited smaller but notable decreases, while no significant decline was observed for some medications after a 6-month lag period.
Conclusion: The observed decline in Parkinson’s disease medication utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic could be attributed to several factors. Patients may have been hesitant to visit doctors or collect their medications due to concerns about exposure to the virus. Additionally, global disruptions in healthcare systems and supply chains could have played a role in these changes. These findings underscore the need for resilient healthcare systems and patient-centered strategies to ensure access to essential medications during global health emergencies. Future research should include patient-level data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how pandemics influence medication use for chronic conditions like PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
K. Orayj. Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Utilization of Parkinson’s Medications in Saudi Arabia: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-covid-19-pandemic-on-utilization-of-parkinsons-medications-in-saudi-arabia-a-repeated-cross-sectional-study/. Accessed November 20, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-covid-19-pandemic-on-utilization-of-parkinsons-medications-in-saudi-arabia-a-repeated-cross-sectional-study/