Use of psychotropic medications in the specialist health service for mental health care and substance use disorders in 2012-23.

BACKGROUND

Data on the use of psychotropic medications in specialist mental health services and interdisciplinary specialised treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) are useful both as cross-sectional indicators and as time series data for monitoring trends. The figures can help form a basis for evaluating rational use of medications in hospitals.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Purchasing data for anxiolytics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics from the Hospital Pharmacies Drug Statistics for the period 2012-23 were used. The data are sourced from sales to specialist mental health clinics and for SUD treatment. Defined daily doses and the number of defined daily doses per 100 bed-days were used as units of measurement.

RESULTS

Use of anxiolytics increased by 127 % from 2012 to 2023, while decreasing by 24 % for antidepressants. The use of mood stabilisers and lithium decreased by 26 % and 16 %, respectively. Total use of antipsychotics increased by 29 %, while rising by 79 % for depot injections.

INTERPRETATION

Significant changes in medication use were observed during the reference period. Further studies are needed to identify the causes and effects of the changed prescribing patterns.