Abstract
Introduction: Heat waves (HWs) are one of the most important atmospheric events that negatively affect human health. Studies show that HWs trigger many diseases causing an increase in hospital admissions, ambulance calls, and emergency department visits during HW periods. Objective: To analyze changes in drug sales in pharmacies during HW periods in order to determine human health effects of HWs and to establish the most affected chronic diseases based on calculated sales growth. Materials and methods: For this study, drug sales data were obtained from eight pharmacies located in different districts of Istanbul and classified according to the indications they contained. Meteorological data were obtained from the Istanbul Meteorological Directorate. HWs are defined as temperatures at a threshold of 90 % of daily maximum temperatures lasting for at least 3 or more consecutive days. Using this definition, it was determined that a 14-day HW occurred in Istanbul on July 12–26, 2023. In the analysis, pharmaceutical sales data between the 12th and 26th days of each month, April, May, and June, were used as a reference. Risk ratios were found by comparing the drug sales rate in the HW period with those in the reference periods. The significance values were calculated using the logarithmic Z test. Results: During the heat wave, the sales of eye drops increased by 104 %, cardiovascular and blood pressure medicines by 38 %, psychology and depression medicines by 37 %, respiratory and chest disease medicines by 17 %, and antihistamines by 12 %. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that high temperatures triggered eye, chronic heart, psychological, and chronic respiratory allergic diseases, as shown by increased sales of drugs used to treat these conditions. The results of the study will guide future preventions to be taken against HWs.