THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONSUMPTION OF ANTID EPRESSIVE DRUGS IN SPAIN - THE IMPACT OF SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS

BACKGROUND: The pattern of use of antidepressive drugs in Spain throug h 1985-1994 is studied. Special emphasis is given to the impact of sel ective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors introduction at the end of the e ighties. MATERIAL ANO METHODS: Information on drug utilization was obt ained from the databases of the Ministry of Health which contain the n umber of packages sold in community pharmacies and charged to the Nati onal Health System. Data are expressed in defined daily dosis (DDD) pe r 1,000 inhabitants per day. RESULTS: The use of antidepressants (excl uding fixed-dose combinations) increased from 2.7 DDD/1,000 inhabitant s/day in 1985 to 9.3 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day in 1994 (247%). All the subgroups contributed. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors utili zation was 4.71 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day in 1994, representing 71% of the overall increase during the study period. The consumption of fixe d-dose combinations decreased in 17%. Since 1991 fluoxetine is the ant idepressant most widely used. The consumption through pensioner prescr iptions is proportionally higher for second generation antidepressants than for the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressive drugs consumpt ion in Spain increased three times in the last ten years, though it is still below the estimated point prevalence of depression. Selective s erotonin re-uptake inhibitors introduction has modified the pattern of use of antidepressants but their impact on the use of the rest of the group has been apparently low.