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.

Development of a novel instrument for assessing intentional non-adherence to official medical recommendations (iNAR-12): a sequential mixed-methods study in Serbia

“…These trends are tracked worldwide, with Serbia being at the top of the list of European countries 17 18. Serbian citizens also reported the highest consumption of benzodiazepines in Europe 16 19. While self-medication practices do differ by country, they nevertheless represent a global issue (eg,Limaye and Novak et al 20 21).…”

Intentional non-adherence to official medical recommendations: An irrational choice or negative experience with the healthcare system?

“…The use of psychotropic medicines has also increased in the past decade [11] and presents a signi cant public health problem [12][13]. These trends are even more radical in Serbia [14], with the consumption of benzodiazepines being the highest in Europe [11].Non-adherence to public health recommendations, such as regularly applying sunscreen, which protects from the UV radiation as a known carcinogen [15][16], or using uoride-based dental products, which protects from caries [17] has been extensively studied. Vaccine hesitancy is a non-adherence behavior in this category that leads to dire public health consequences: outbreaks of infectious diseases such as measles and pertussis (e.g.…”

“…The use of psychotropic medicines has also increased in the past decade [11] and presents a signi cant public health problem [12][13]. These trends are even more radical in Serbia [14], with the consumption of benzodiazepines being the highest in Europe [11].…”