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Observational Study
. 2021 Dec:201:75-77.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.10.005. Epub 2021 Oct 16.

Psychotropic medications sales during COVID-19 outbreak in Italy changed according to the pandemic phases and related lockdowns

B Farina  1 , C Massullo  1 , E De Rossi  1 , G A Carbone  1 , R Serraino  2 , C Imperatori  3
Affiliations
Observational Study

Psychotropic medications sales during COVID-19 outbreak in Italy changed according to the pandemic phases and related lockdowns

B Farina et al. Public Health. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: We have investigated the psychotropic medications sales (i.e. benzodiazepines, mood stabilisers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from March 2020 to February 2021 compared with the same period in the preceding year.

Study design: This was a retrospective and observational study.

Methods: Data were obtained from five pharmacies located in a working-class zone populated by approximately 150,000 people in the urban area of Rome (Italy).

Results: A general slight increase in psychotropic medications sales was observed during the whole pandemic period compared with the previous year.

Conclusion: Our data showed that (1) the percentage of sales seems to vary according to the pandemic phases and related lockdowns and (2) the sales differ between the classes of medications considered.

Keywords: COVID-19; Mental health; Psychotropic medications.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Number of pharmacy customers during the different time points. (B–E) Confections of psychotropic medications sold across the three time points. BZDs, benzodiazepines; SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; T1, time point n°1 (i.e. March to May); T2, time point n°2 (June to September); T3, time point n°3 (i.e. October to February).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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