Consumption of antidepressants and economic austerity in Brazil

Objective To describe consumption of antidepressants in Brazil through dispensing data from pharmacy retail outlets, in between 2011 and 2017, and explore the relationship between consumption patterns and changing economic context during this period. Methods A time-series analysis of dispensing data from pharmacy retail outlets was carried out considering 10 commonly used antidepressants. DDDs/1000 inhabitants/year for each drug were calculated for each quarter. Ttime-series graphs were constructed to analyze the volumes of drugs purchasedRelationship between economic context and consumption was assessed using the following indicators: annual percent change in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), public debt (% of GDP), and annual net savings (in billions of Brazilian reais - BRL). Results Overall consumption of antidepressants increased over the study period despite a sharp fall of -3.55% in annual percent change in GDP, negative net annual savings of -53.568 BRL, and an increase in public debt exceeding 32% of the GDP during the economic crisis of 2015. Conclusion Consumption of antidepressants from pharmacy retail outlets increased even within a context of economic crisis, which may be a reflection of the disease burden in Brazil. Health budget cuts due to the economic crisis may be directing users to out-of-pocket expenses, deepening social inequalities.

Automated summary

Despite a decrease in the annual percent change in GDP, negative net annual savings, and an increase in public debt during the economic crisis in 2015, the consumption of antidepressants in Brazil from pharmacy retail outlets continued to increase. This trend may reflect the disease burden in Brazil, with potential implications for social inequalities due to health budget cuts.