Antidepressant use rises in Australia
10 November, 2000
A study published in the November 2000 Medical Journal of Australia has revealed a significant rise in the use of antidepressants by Australians between 1990 and 1998.
Depression has risen from the tenth most common problem managed by Australian GPs in the year 1990-91 to the fourth most prevalent in 1998-1999.
Researchers analysed prescription and sales data and ongoing surveys of GPs and community health. They found that defined daily doses of antidepressant prescriptions per 1000 people per day in Australia had risen from 12.4 (5.1 million prescriptions) in 1990 to 35.7 (8.2 million prescriptions) in 1998.
The study did not include the use of St John’s wort preparations, lithium, tryptophan, or any derivatives of these active ingredients.
Of the antidepressant prescriptions dispensed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 1998, 85 per cent were written by GPs and 11.2 per cent by psychiatrists.
The authors suggested that greater public awareness of depression and patients being more comfortable coming forward for help, plus the availability and promotion of new antidepressant medication options were all contributing factors to the increase, so it does not necessarily reflect a change in prevalence of depression.
The need for management of depression in Australia has now been recognised with the establishment of the National Depression Initiative, aimed at reducing the stigma attached to mental illness, promoting community awareness and education, promoting professional training and supporting research.
Last Reviewed: 19 February 2001
- 1. MJA 2000; 173: 458-461
2. National Depression Initiative Info sheet #2
