Psychotropic drugs consumption during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns: Evidence of a surprising resilience of the drugs delivery system in France

Laurin, Alexandre; Bulteau, Samuel; Caillet, Pascal; Artari, Pascal; Sauvaget, Anne; Gollier-Briant, Fanny; Huon, Jean‐François; Bonnot, Olivier

doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.04.004

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…This decrease may be linked to an important prevention campaign conducted in France to limit the prescription of psychotropic drugs [ 20 ]. During the pandemic, there was an immediate increase in the number of people using anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants, which is consistent with the previous studies on consumption during the pandemic [ 9 , 13 – 20 , 22 ] and could reinforce the reported impact of lockdowns on mental health [ 6 , 8 ]. Post-pandemic, anxiolytic and hypnotic use decreased, while antidepressant consumption continued to rise.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…As in other countries, these studies revealed an increase in psychotropic drug consumption during the pandemic period, particularly notable among young people [ 9 , 13 , 18 , 19 , 23 ] and women [ 13 , 19 , 23 ]. Some of these studies have shown an increase in the consumption of psychotropic drugs among young people in the first few months after the beginning of the pandemic [ 9 , 13 , 19 , 23 ] in relation to schools closures, reduced outdoor activities, and extensive social media use [ 24 – 26 , 26 , 27 ]. In line with a recent study of children and adolescents, the present study confirms that the negative effects on young people did not disappear after the pandemic [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“…An interesting approach to studying the effects of the pandemic on mental health is to monitor changes in psychotropic drug consumption [ 13 ]. Several studies examined the prescription of psychotropic drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic and observed an increase in the consumption of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants in 2020 compared to 2019 [ 14 – 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies examined the prescription of psychotropic drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic and observed an increase in the consumption of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants in 2020 compared to 2019 [ 14 – 19 ]. In France, similar studies have been conducted using national databases [ 9 , 20 , 21 ], regional [ 13 ] or national military samples [ 22 ]. As in other countries, these studies revealed an increase in psychotropic drug consumption during the pandemic period, particularly notable among young people [ 9 , 13 , 18 , 19 , 23 ] and women [ 13 , 19 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In France, similar studies have been conducted using national databases [ 9 , 20 , 21 ], regional [ 13 ] or national military samples [ 22 ]. As in other countries, these studies revealed an increase in psychotropic drug consumption during the pandemic period, particularly notable among young people [ 9 , 13 , 18 , 19 , 23 ] and women [ 13 , 19 , 23 ]. Some of these studies have shown an increase in the consumption of psychotropic drugs among young people in the first few months after the beginning of the pandemic [ 9 , 13 , 19 , 23 ] in relation to schools closures, reduced outdoor activities, and extensive social media use [ 24 – 26 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prolonged increase in psychotropic drug use among young women following the COVID-19 pandemic: a French nationwide retrospective study

Lamer,

Saint-Dizier,

Levaillant

et al. 2024

BMC Med

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, with evidence suggesting an enduring mental health crisis. Studies worldwide observed increased usage of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during the pandemic, notably among young people and women. However, few studies tracked consumption post-2021. Our study aimed to fill this gap by investigating whether the surge in the number psychotropic drug consumers in France persisted 2 years after the first lockdown, particularly focusing on age and gender differences. Methods We conducted a national retrospective observational study based on the French national insurance database. We retrieved all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies in France for the period 2015–2022. We performed interrupted time series analyses based on Poisson models for five age classes (12–18; 19–25; 26–50; 51–75; 76 and more) to assess the trend before lockdown, the gap induced and the change in trend after. Results In the overall population, the number of consumers remained constant for antidepressants while it decreased for anxiolytics and hypnotics. Despite this global trend, a long-term increase was observed in the 12–18 and 19–25 groups for the three drug classes. Moreover, for these age classes, the increases were more pronounced for women than men, except for hypnotics where the trends were similar. Conclusions The number of people using antidepressants continues to increase more than 2 years after the first lockdown, showing a prolonged effect on mental health. This effect is particularly striking among adolescents and young adults confirming the devastating long-term impact of the pandemic on their mental health.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Prolonged increase in psychotropic drug use among young women following the COVID-19 pandemic: a French nationwide retrospective study

Lamer,

Saint-Dizier,

Levaillant

et al. 2024

BMC Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Consumption of psychotropic drugs in Croatia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a 10-year longitudinal study (2012–2021)

Vukićević,

Draganić,

Škribulja

et al. 2023

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Association between Pandemic of COVID‐19 and Influenza Vaccine Take‐Up in 2020–2021 in Maine et Loire (France)

Abline,

Chaslerie,

Fabre

et al. 2024

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics

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Background. Take‐up of the influenza (flu) vaccination in France is assessed every year by Santé publique France (SPF), a national health agency. In 2020, the pandemic of COVID‐19 took place all over the world. With several symptoms known to be similar between flu and COVID‐19, we expected to observe a positive association with people’s choice to also take the flu vaccine injection. Methods. Data regarding the flu vaccination for people aged 65 and over were extracted from the French National Health Data System (Système National des Données de Santé—SNDS). A noninterventional multicenter survey in the Department of Maine et Loire, an area in the west of France, was used for assessing the effect of COVID‐19 on vaccination intention. Results. The flu vaccine take‐up (Maine et Loire, France), among people aged 65 and over, improved since 2017 (54.36% in 2017–18 vs 58.12% in 2020–21). In 2020–21 (concomitant with the COVID‐19 pandemic), people got vaccinated earlier than the previous year (peak in weeks 1–2 vs peak in weeks 5–6 in previous campaigns), before a shortage of doses interrupted the 2020–21 campaign. Of the 211 people who answered the survey among the 232 for whom it was proposed, 175 were vaccinated during the 2020–21 flu vaccine campaign. Among them, 29.12% declared they were aware of COVID‐19 when receiving the flu vaccine. The most cited reason for taking the vaccination was the need to feel safe from the influenza virus; the second was “awareness of the fact that a virus can be contagious and deadly.” Conclusion. Our study highlights the COVID‐19 association perceived by the elderly population (Maine et Loire) on flu vaccination rates. Despite having human consequences, the COVID‐19 pandemic seems to be beneficial to flu vaccine take‐up and may positively change people’s beliefs and behaviors towards flu vaccination.

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Psychotropic drugs consumption during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns: Evidence of a surprising resilience of the drugs delivery system in France

Cited by 4 publications

References 61 publications

Prolonged increase in psychotropic drug use among young women following the COVID-19 pandemic: a French nationwide retrospective study

Prolonged increase in psychotropic drug use among young women following the COVID-19 pandemic: a French nationwide retrospective study

Consumption of psychotropic drugs in Croatia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a 10-year longitudinal study (2012–2021)

Association between Pandemic of COVID‐19 and Influenza Vaccine Take‐Up in 2020–2021 in Maine et Loire (France)

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