A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a concerning link between antifungal overuse and the surge in drug-resistant skin, scalp, and nail fungal infections. The study reveals the first cases of highly contagious drug-resistant fungal infections in the US, with at least 11 states affected. The report urges clinicians to reevaluate prescribing practices to curb the escalating threat.
SOUTHEAST ASIA TO THE US
Originating in Southeast Asia, drug-resistant fungal infections have expanded to China and beyond, reaching 11 US states in 2023. The CDC, in response to this emerging public health concern, delved into a comprehensive analysis of antifungal prescriptions to understand prescribing patterns and provide insights for effective intervention.
OVERUSE RISKS: ANTIFUNGAL PRESCRIPTIONS EXAMINED
CDC epidemiologist Kaitlin Benedict and her team scrutinized a year’s worth of antifungal prescriptions, covering approximately 1 million health professionals and nearly 49 million patients under Medicare in 2021. The findings exposed a staggering 6.5 million topical antifungal prescriptions, costing $231 million. The report emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of prescribing practices to address the threat promptly.
UNCOVERING PRESCRIBING PRACTICES
Primary care physicians led antifungal prescriptions at 40 percent, followed by nurse practitioners, dermatologists, and podiatrists. The top 10 percent of prescribers, comprising 13,106 practitioners, accounted for nearly half of all dispensed medications. Concerns arise over clotrimazole-betamethasone prescriptions, potentially fueling drug-resistant tinea. Lack of diagnostic information in Medicare data poses challenges in determining if prescriptions match specific conditions.
COMBATING EMERGING THREATS
The CDC report underscores the necessity for judicious antifungal prescribing to thwart the emergence and spread of drug-resistant fungal infections. With a plea for diagnostic testing to confirm suspected fungal infections, the report aims to guide healthcare providers in promoting appropriate prescribing practices and ensuring patient safety.
