Objective:

To assess whether the economic crisis of 2008 has changed the consumption of anxiolytics, hypnotics-sedatives and antidepressants in Asturias (Spain).

Method:

We conducted a descriptive study of drug use from 2003 -2013. The defined daily doses of 1000 inhabitants per day (DHD) were calculated for anxiolytics, hypnotics-sedatives and antidepressants. Linear regression coefficients (b) of the DHD were obtained for the pre-crisis period (2003-2008) and the crisis period (2009-2013).

Results:

The consumption of anxiolytics increased by 40.25%, that of hypnotics by 88.11% and that of antidepressants by 80.93%. For anxiolytics: b-(2003-2008) = 4.38 DDI/year and b-(2009-2013) = 1.08 DDI/year. For hypnotics-sedatives: b-(2003-2008) = 2.30 DDI/year and b-(2009-2013) = 0.40 DDI/year. For antidepressants: b-(2003-2008) = 5.79 DDI/year and b-(2009-2013) = 2.83 DDI/year.

Conclusions:

The rise in consumption of the three subgroups during the crisis period was lower than that of the pre-crisis period. This study does not confirm the influence of the economic crisis on the rise in consumption of these drugs.

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