Sales of medicines for the digestive system in Russia have increased by 20%.
From May 3 to July 11, the sales of digestive enzyme preparations and drugs for restoring the intestinal microflora increased by an average of 8%. According to a study prepared for Izvestia by the DSM Group, sales of drugs that reduce gastric secretion increased by 13%, and sales of medicines against diarrhea went up by 20%.
The most significant growth was observed from June 7 to June 14. Over that period, the sales of enzymes increased by 19%, anti-diarrhea drugs by 34%, prebiotics by 32%, and drugs that reduce gastric secretion by 24%.
Doctors believe that one of the reasons for the growth is the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. According to Andrey Pozdnyakov, the infectious disease specialist and the chief doctor of Invitro Siberia, many people infected with this strain have diarrhea.
Andrey Pozdnyakov also noted that the growth of sales of medications against stomach-acid issues increased due to the specifics of COVID-19 therapy. Doctors prescribe such medications when the patient takes antipyretics, anticoagulants, antibiotics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, including dexamethasone. When dexamethasone is prescribed, it has to be accompanied by a medicine that reduces the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Virologist Yevgeny Timakov, who is the chief physician of Lider-Meditsina medical center, confirmed an increase in complaints about gastrointestinal problems during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same period before it.