Trends in consumption and use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in the Republic of Serbia in the period 2006-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are used for the pharmacological treatment of mental illness with complementary therapies, with their global use showing an increasing trend. Aim: The aim of the study is to examine trends in the use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in Serbia for the period 2006-2019. Method: Annual data on consumption were taken from the Serbian Medicines Agency and expressed in defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD / TID). Consumption trends were analysed using segmented regression. Segmented regression calculates the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in consumption during the observed period from 2006 to 2019. Results: Consumption of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in 2019 were 35 DDD / TID and 126 DDD / TID, with percentage increases of 360% and 33% compared to 2006 and with AAPC values of 11.8 (p < 0.001) and 0.7 (p = 0.564) respectively. Among antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most widely used. Anxiolytics-derivatives of benzodiazepines (N06BA) were the most used group among benzodiazepines. Bromazepam and Lorazepam had the highest volume in the N06BA group. Benzodiazepine-related drugs (Zolpidem) also had a growing trend, especially from 2006 to 2009. Conclusion: Use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in Serbia increased, following global trends.