Report: Fills for Mental Health Prescription Drugs Remain High After Increase During COVID-19
Fills for depression and anxiety medications increased between 2019 and 2022, according to recent research from health care platform GoodRx. Specifically, treatment for mental health conditions has increased significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in depression and anxiety medication fills occurred in 43 out of 50 states.
A 2023 Mental Health America report showed that the highest rates of mental illness and substance use occurred in Kansas, South Dakota and Illinois, with 25% of users experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. This report also states that South Dakota and Illinois rank highly on access to treatment as well. Among the states with the highest percentage of medication distributed include New Hampshire and Iowa, with 14.2% of medications being anxiety- or depression-related.
In contrast, poor access to treatment could explain the decrease in depression and anxiety medication fills in some states, such as Hawaii’s 7.7% decrease.
Depression and anxiety medications made up at least 10% of prescriptions filled in most states in 2022.
The top 10 states with the highest percentage of prescriptions filled for anxiety and depression medications in 2022 were the following:
New Hampshire (14.2%)
Iowa (14.2%)
Montana (13.8%)
North Dakota (13.7%)
Vermont (13.6%)
Idaho (13.5%)
Oklahoma (13.5%)
Minnesota (13.5%)
Oregon (13.4%)
Colorado (13.2%)
These increased rates could be due to factors such as increased mental health treatment or a higher rate of mental health conditions. Each state’s factors vary.
What’s Next?
The treatment for anxiety and depression with medications increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained high through the beginning of 2023. This elevated rate is expected to remain due to the continued increase in mental health diagnoses.
The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.