Investigators have used the volume of internet search queries to model disease incidence, especially influenza and general consumer behavior [1]. Our group has used search volume to model interest in FDA safety alerts and adverse drug event incidence. We found evi- dence of changes in search behavior following warnings and the ex- pected relationship between search volume and adverse drug event incidence. Thus, search volume may help provide near real time sur- veillance of drug use patterns to help monitor and mitigate risk to the population from adverse drug events. However, the use of search query volume as a proxy for drug use has yet to be validated.
We attempt to validate search volume estimation of drug utilization in three ways: 1) explore seasonal variations in search volume and outpatient utilization, 2) monitor change between substitute drugs fol- lowing patent expirations and 3) use search volume estimation meth- ods to estimate TB incidence.
Objective
To validate search volume estimation for outpatient medication prescribing.