To the Editor: We read with interest the analysis and comments by Shand and colleagues.1 The authors show a rise in the dispensing of intravenous iron agents in the period from 2013 to 2017 for women. They suggest that this may be an issue relating to the inappropriate use of this agent. However, we question whether the data can support this suggestion, and feel this should be viewed cautiously because of the study limitations. The study did not examine the reasons for the escalation in prescriptions.
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- 1. Shand AW, Bell J, Henry A, et al. Rapid increase in intravenous iron therapy for women of reproductive age in Australia. Med J Aust 2020; 213: 85–86. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/213/2/rapid-increase-intravenous-iron-therapy-women-reproductive-age-australia
- 2. World Health Organization. WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. WHO, 2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240000124 (viewed July 2020).
- 3. DeLoughery TG. Iron deficiency anemia. Med Clin North Am 2017; 101: 319–332.
- 4. Froessler B, Gajic T, Dekker G, Hodyl NA. Treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2018; 298: 75–82.
- 5. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The National Patient Blood Management Collaborative [website]. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/national-priorities/pbm-collaborative (viewed July 2020).
No relevant disclosures.