The pattern of antibiotic utilisation among intensive care unit patients hospitalised in a Gauteng (South African) provincial tertiary hospital: Comparing findings before and during COVID-19.

The macrolide and penicillin (in combination with a beta-lactamase inhibitor) classes demonstrated an increase in consumption from the pre-pandemic period moving into the COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship programmes and policies to combat inappropriate and unnecessary antibiotic usage.