Antidepressant prescribing in New Zealand between 2008 and 2015

To examine antidepressant prescribing trends in New Zealand adults from 2008-2015.

Antidepressant prescribing data was sourced via the Ministry of Health. Data were examined by year, type of drug, ethnicity, gender, age and location of district health board.

All individuals dispensed an antidepressant in New Zealand were included. In 2015, 12.6% of all New Zealanders were prescribed an antidepressant (16% of females and 9% of males) an increase of 21% from 2008. The largest increase in drug classes were venlafaxine and tetracyclic antidepressants. The largest class of drugs prescribed were SSRIs, which made up 57% of the total. Europeans were the most likely to receive antidepressants at 15.7%, but increases were seen across all ethnic categories. The highest users were older European females at 22.8%.

Antidepressant prescribing rates continue to increase in New Zealand although this rate of increase is slowing. The highest users were European women, particularly those age 65 and older.