This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Seven per cent rise in anti-depressant prescriptions
The number of anti-depressant prescriptions being given to patients has risen by nearly seven per cent in a year, a BBC 5 Live investigation has found.
According to the latest NHS Digital figures relating to between October 2015 and September 2016, the number of prescriptions rose from 59.5 million to nearly 63.6 million, a four million increase, meaning a total of £285 million was spent on anti-depressants that year.
The news comes as NHS Digital statistics have shown that prescriptions for anti-depressants have risen more than four fold in two decades.
The investigation highlighted that the numbers might not necessarily mean more people are using them, but rather that patients are using the pills for longer.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "A rise in the number of prescriptions does not necessarily mean a rise in the number of patients: more frequent prescriptions for a shorter period allow medication to be reviewed more often and can cut down wastage.
"This can be very helpful for some patients."
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