University study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants

Press/Media: Research

Description

Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimizing the use of antidepressants after conducting a study that has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19’ and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers discovered that the total number of antidepressant prescriptions drugs dispensed during 2020 had increased by four million items since 2019 costing NHS England £139 million more than in the previous year.

Subject

Mental health and use of antidepressants during pandemic

Period21 May 2021 → 4 Sep 2021

Media coverage

17

Media coverage

  • TitleUsing antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPressReader
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/09/21
    URLhttps://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-peoples-friend/20210904/281827171864167
    PersonsHamid Merchant
  • TitleΒρετανία: Η αύξηση του κόστους και της χρήσης αντικαταθλιπτικών προκαλεί ανησυχία
    Media name/outletIatronet
    Country/TerritoryGreece
    Date8/06/21
    DescriptionO συνολικός αριθμός των συνταγογραφούμενων αντικαταθλιπτικών φαρμάκων που χορηγήθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια του 2020 είχε αυξηθεί κατά τέσσερα εκατομμύρια τεμάχια από το 2019.
    Μια ανησυχητική αύξηση στη χρήση και το κόστος των αντικαταθλιπτικών το 2020 καταγράφηκε από ερευνητές του Πανεπιστημίου του Huddersfield.

    Οι ερευνητές πραγματοποίησαν μια μελέτη για να διερευνήσουν τις τάσεις στις ιατρικές συνταγές και το κόστος διαφόρων αντικαταθλιπτικών στην Αγγλία κατά τη διάρκεια της πανδημίας COVID-19. Μετά την ανάλυση, οι επιστήμονες δήλωσαν ότι είναι ζωτικής σημασίας για τις παρεμβάσεις ψυχικής υγείας της χώρας να εφαρμοστούν στρατηγικές βελτιστοποίησης της χρήσης αντικαταθλιπτικών.
    Producer/AuthorKaragiannopoulou Despina
    URLhttps://www.iatronet.gr/article/101714/vretania-h-ayxhsh-toy-kostoys-kai-ths-hrhshs-antikatathliptikon-prokalei-anhsyhia
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleAnglia: w czasie pandemii COVID-19 rośnie użycie leków antydepresyjnych
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletmgr.farm
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryPoland
    Date7/06/21
    DescriptionSpecjaliści alarmują i wzywają do pilnej interwencji, by wypracować nowe strategie dotyczące stosowania leków antydepresyjnych przez angielskich obywateli. W czasie kryzysu COVID-19 odnotowano gwałtowny wzrost ich użycia.
    URLhttps://mgr.farm/aktualnosci/anglia-w-czasie-pandemii-covid-19-rosnie-uzycie-lekow-antydepresyjnych/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUK study flags rise in use and costs of antidepressants during pandemic
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Indian Express
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryIndia
    Date5/06/21
    URLhttps://indianexpress.com/article/explained/uk-study-flags-rise-in-use-costs-of-antidepressants-7344764/
    PersonsHamid Merchant
  • TitleStudy finds “alarming” hike in antidepressant costs during COVID-19
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPharmaPhorum
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionResearchers in the UK have found that there was a four million rise in prescriptions for antidepressants in England during 2020, adding £139 million to NHS costs.

    The team from the University of Huddersfield said the findings highlight an “urgent need” for new mental health strategies to make sure antidepressants are being used appropriately, particularly in adolescents and younger adults.

    While an increase in the number of prescriptions had been predicted because of the pandemic, the scientists said it was the sharp rise in antidepressant prescription costs which was a potential cause for concern.
    URLhttps://pharmaphorum.com/news/study-finds-alarming-hike-in-antidepressant-costs-during-covid-19/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleSharp rise in antidepressant use in pandemic
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPharmacy Network News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionResearchers have warned that mental health safeguards are needed to prevent people suffering potentially harmful side-effects of antidepressants after it emerged the number of prescriptions dispensed last year increased by four million items on the previous year.

    A study from the University of Huddersfield revealed 78 million prescriptions for the drug were dispensed between January and December 2020, a rise of £139 million in prescription costs compared with 2019. The antidepressant Sertraline alone accounted for an extra £113 million last year.

    The findings have sparked concerns over the level of antidepressant use, particularly among young adults struggling with the mental health impact of lockdown.
    URLhttps://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/interventions-needed-on-use-of-antidepressants-researchers-warn
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleRise in cost and usage of antidepressants sparks concern
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletHealth Europa
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionAn alarming surge in the usage and cost of antidepressants in 2020 has been recorded by researchers from the University of Huddersfield.
    Researchers conducted a study to investigate the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the analysis, the scientists have said that it is vital for the country‘s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants.
    URLhttps://www.healtheuropa.eu/rise-in-cost-and-usage-of-antidepressants-sparks-concern/108685/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19’and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Producer/AuthorUniversity of Huddersfield
    URLhttps://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/208980?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/208980
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleAlcohol and Antidepressant Consumption, Babies on Board and Other COVID-19 News
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPharmacy Practice News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionAlthough many folks predicted an increase in alcohol consumption, especially among young people, a study in Canada found a decrease—maybe because the bars were closed. They did find an increase in depression, probably also due to social distancing. A U.K. study found an increase in spending for antidepressants, but it wasn’t just due to emotions—the costs of the pills increased. Obese people are more likely to suffer long COVID, and scientists call for better.
    URLhttps://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Covid-19/Article/06-21/Alcohol-and-Antidepressant-Consumption-Babies-on-Board-and-Other-COVID-19-News/63749
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleExperts call for urgent action to tackle steep rise in use of anti-depressants during Covid-19
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPharmacy Business
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionExperts have urged for a quick intervention to create new strategies to optimise the use of antidepressants (AD) among people, following a steep rise in their consumption during Covid-19 pandemic.

    The latest call for action on the use of ADs follows a recent research by the University of Huddersfield which highlighted the urgent need to reduce an alarming rise in the use of the dosage and consumption frequency.
    Producer/AuthorKeerthi Mohan
    URLhttps://www.pharmacy.biz/experts-call-for-urgent-action-to-tackle-steep-rise-in-use-of-anti-depressants-during-covid-19/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUse of antidepressants increased during Covid-19 pandemic
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletMed India
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryIndia
    Date4/06/21
    DescriptionAlarming rise in the usage and costs of antidepressants was seen in England during the pandemic. Therefore, there is urgent need for the country's mental health interventions to create strategies to reduce the use of antidepressants, warned researchers at the University of Huddersfield.
    Producer/AuthorHannah Joy
    URLhttps://www.medindia.net/news/use-of-antidepressants-increased-during-covid-19-pandemic-201557-1.htm
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleStudy highlights surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNews Medical
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionResearchers at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country's mental health interventions to create strategies optimizing the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled 'Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19' and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Producer/AuthorEmily Henderson
    URLhttps://www.news-medical.net/news/20210603/Study-highlights-surging-trends-in-prescriptions-and-costs-of-antidepressants.aspx
    PersonsHamid Merchant
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletBioengineer
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19’ and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    URLhttps://bioengineer.org/university-study-highlights-alarming-rise-in-usage-and-costs-of-antidepressants/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outlet7th Space
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country's mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled 'Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19' and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The researchers discovered that the total number of antidepressant prescriptions drugs dispensed during 2020 had increased by four million items since 2019 costing NHS England £139 million more than in the previous year.
    URL7thspace.com/headlines/1572502/university_study_highlights_alarming_rise_in_usage_and_costs_of_antidepressants.html
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity Study Highlights Alarming Rise In Usage And Costs Of Antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletSciencemag
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19’ and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The researchers discovered that the total number of antidepressant prescriptions drugs dispensed during 2020 had increased by four million items since 2019 costing NHS England £139 million more than in the previous year.
    URLhttps://scienmag.com/university-study-highlights-alarming-rise-in-usage-and-costs-of-antidepressants/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants.
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletInfosurhoy
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionResearchers at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimizing the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled “Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19” and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The researchers discovered that the total number of antidepressant prescriptions drugs dispensed during 2020 had increased by four million items since 2019 costing NHS England £139 million more than in the previous year.
    Producer/AuthorJONATHAN EDWARDS
    URLhttps://infosurhoy.com/health/university-study-highlights-alarming-rise-in-usage-and-costs-of-antidepressants.html
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleStudy finds alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletMirage News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date21/05/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.
    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19‘ and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    URLhttps://www.miragenews.com/study-finds-alarming-rise-in-usage-and-costs-of-564477/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan

Media contributions

5

Media contributions

  • TitleAntidepressant prescribing during covid-19
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletMedical Update Online
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date2/07/21
    DescriptionSome four million extra prescriptions for antidepressants were issued in 2020 compared to 2019 but the cost to the NHS increased by £139 million, according to a study published in March 2021. IMI spoke to Dr Syed Hasan and Dr Hamid Merchant, two of the study authors, to find out more.

    The researchers in Huddersfield were aware that mental health problems – fuelled by lockdowns, loss of jobs and social isolation – were an important issue during the coronavirus pandemic. “We noticed there was an increase in the prevalence of depression during this period”, says Dr Hasan. In fact, the number of individuals living with depression United Kingdom almost doubled during the pandemic, according to a survey published in June 2020.1 Given their interest in the use of drugs at population level they decided to look at prescribing trends for antidepressants in England.
    Producer/AuthorChristine Clark
    URLhttps://medicalupdateonline.com/2021/07/antidepressant-prescribing-during-covid-19/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleNHS spending on antidepressants rose by £139m during pandemic, study finds
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Pharmaceutical Journal (PJ)
    Media typePrint
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date7/06/21
    DescriptionUsing prescribing data from 2019 and 2020, researchers found that the cost of antidepressants surged to £35m in April 2020 — more than double than the same month in 2019.
    Producer/AuthorJulia Robinson
    URLhttps://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/nhs-spending-on-antidepressants-rose-by-139m-during-pandemic-study-finds
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletEurekAlert
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country's mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.
    Producer/AuthorUniversity of Huddersfield
    URLhttps://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/uoh-ush060321.php
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletMedical Xpress
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date3/06/21
    DescriptionResearchers at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country's mental health interventions to create strategies optimizing the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.

    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled "Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19" and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Producer/AuthorUniversity of Huddersfield
    URLhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-06-university-highlights-alarming-usage-antidepressants.html
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan
  • TitleUniversity study highlights alarming rise in usage and costs of antidepressants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletUniversity News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date21/05/21
    DescriptionRESEARCHERS at the University of Huddersfield have warned there is an urgent need for the country’s mental health interventions to create strategies optimising the use of antidepressants after conducting a study which has highlighted an alarming rise in relation to usage and costs.
    The open-access study, published by the international DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is entitled ‘Surging trends in prescriptions and costs of antidepressants in England amid COVID-19’ and has investigated the trends in prescriptions and costs of various antidepressants in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The researchers discovered that the total number of antidepressant prescriptions drugs dispensed during 2020 had increased by four million items since 2019 costing NHS England £139 million more than in the previous year.
    URLhttps://www.hud.ac.uk/news/2021/may/alarming-rise-usage-and-costs-of-antidepressants/
    PersonsHamid Merchant, Shahzad Hasan