The pandemic has prompted the consumption of a wide range of pharmaceutical products including the group of supplements, vitamins, antibiotics, cortisone, anticoagulants (blood thinners), antiulcerosis, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, etc., and a range of other medical preparations needed pandemic treatment. 

Vitamins 

In retail outlets, the best sellers this year have been supplements and vitamins. Their sales were growing throughout the year, unlike other products. The entire population, even those not infected with coronavirus, has consumed vitamins, to create protection and boost immunity against the virus. 

In the group of supplements, the best-selling was vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and a series of complexes with vitamin mix. Consumption of vitamins and supplements has become a trend in recent years in our country. 

People have become more attentive to health treatment and are consuming more vitamins. Pharmacist Emil Qirko said that the pandemic increased the sale of vitamins in an unusual way. This trend will continue until a vaccine, or a cure responsible for the coronavirus, is found, he said. 

The wholesalers stated that Albania still has a low per capita consumption of supplements and pharmaceutical products as a whole, in relation to the region, as an indicator of the country's economic development. He said there is room for further growth, especially in terms of supplement consumption. 

Cortisone 

After supplements, cortisone, which are part of the basic treatment of those infected with COVID, also had unusual sales this year. Recently,  the virus has spread to the community. 

Many people are being diagnosed with radiology, avoiding tampons, so the number of those affected and treated with cortisone is higher than reported. Pulmonologist Luan Dyrmishi, said that cortisone is a basic part of the treatment protocol in patients with developed symptoms. Pharmacists claim that during this period there has been an unusual increase in sales of dexamethasone, prednisolone and medrol. 

Anticoagulants 

Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are another group of products that have seen unusual increases due to the pandemic. Medical protocols recommend the consumption of those over 40 years of age. Coronavirus causes blood to thicken, causing fatality in many cases. 

Pharmacies claim that during this year, especially after June, there is a strong increase in blood thinners such as xarelto, enoxiparin and fraxiparin, aspirin protect etc. In normal periods, this treatment group is used for retirement ages and those suffering from cardiovascular disease. In addition to routine sales, diluent sales have been heavily driven by the pandemic. 

Antibiotics 

A wide range of antibiotics have increased due to the pandemic. Levofoxacin and azithromycin are top sales because they are included in treatment protocols for all COVID patients who have developed lung involvement. Other types of antibiotics such as levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefepime, etc. have also seen unusual increases. 

Antiinflammatory 

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and antipyretics have seen sales increase this year due to the pandemic. Paracetamol is also widely used in people with mild symptoms to treat fever and relieve pain. Pharmacists claim that sales in these products have been higher than in ordinary years. 

Antiulcerosis and gastrointestinal tract 

Antiulceroses are another group of pharmaceutical products that have increased, as part of the treatment of some of the symptoms caused by coronavirus infection and also, medications that treat disorders of gastritis and digestive tract. 

Doctors explain that a large part of those affected by COVID show symptoms of digestive disorders and gastritis, so even these drugs that treat these disorders, have increased during the pandemic period, pharmacists claim. 

Antidepressants 

Among other things, the pandemic has created unusual anxiety and stress in a part of the population that is not affected by the virus, but even those affected, most exhibit anxiety and stress disorders. During this time, sales of mental health medications have increased, such as sedatives and tranquilizers. 

Preparations 

Some medicines, which previously had sporadic sales, due to the specificity, with the pandemic have increased in use. The oximeter, the oxygen meter in the body, has known unusual sales. With a price of 3000 ALL, the oximeter has been the best-selling preparation together with the thermometer, claim the retail outlets of medical products. 

Oxygen apparatus and oxygen equipment have also recorded unusual sales growth. Thousands affected by COVID-19 have been treated with oxygen at home, so oxygen for medical purposes has been widely sold along with canisters, tubes and masks. 

Bipapi, an apparatus that helps ventilate the lungs with oxygen, has been widely sold during the pandemic. This preparation, according to pharmacists, has been used not only in hospitals but also in-home treatment for many patients. 

Sales of laboratory kits and equipment are increasing 

Laboratory services and their equipment have experienced unusual growth in 2020. The pandemic requires routine tests, including swab tests. As a result, market sources claimed that sales of kits and reagents used for laboratory analysis have increased much higher than the historical average. 

Pandemic promotes smuggling, Favira and Remdesivir, parallel market 

Some antivirals such as Favira and Remdesivir, which some countries apply in the treatment of patients with severe symptoms of COVID, are trafficked in Albania. These drugs are not certified by the State Drug Agency, but are effective in treating the seriously ill in some cases. Due to the popularity of these drugs in other countries, in our country, they are often applied amateurishly and not under the supervision of a doctor. Their illegal trade has brought high and unrealistic prices for users.

(Source: Monitor)