Growth and change in the prescribing of anti-depressants in New Zealand: 1993-1997.
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in the prescribing of anti-depressants in New Zealand from 1993-1997, in terms of expenditure, the number of dispensings and days of therapy supplied.


METHODS
Data on subsidised dispensings of anti-depressant drugs during 1993 to 1997 were obtained from PHARMAC and analysed using SAS.


RESULTS
The overall size of the anti-depressant market increased considerably over the study period. Government expenditure rose 2.25 times, and 1.65 times as many days of anti-depressant medication were supplied in 1997 as in 1993. Most of this was due to the growth in prescribing of newer anti-depressants, but the use of older drugs remained constant.


CONCLUSIONS
In common with other countries, the use of newer agents is contributing to increased overall use of anti-depressant medication and government expenditure in New Zealand. Use of older drugs has not diminished substantially.
Health Services Research Centre, Institute for Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington. eroberts@hist.umn.edu
E
E
Roberts
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Norris
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000928:Antidepressive Agents