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What drives the rise of antidepressant consumption? Evidence from Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Giuliano Masiero

    (Department of Engineering, University of Bergamo, Italy; Institute of Economics (IdEP), Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland)

  • Fabrizio Mazzonna

    (Institute of Economics (IdEP), Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland; Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA), Germany)

  • Olaf Verbeek

    (Institute of Economics (IdEP), Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland)

Abstract

Antidepressant (AD) consumption has been steadily increasing in the last decade in most countries. The explanations suggested by researchers for this increment are still under scrutiny. This study attempts to identify the determinants of AD consumption by exploiting small area variations from Switzerland between 2003 and 2014. We observe that two specific drugs - Citalopram and Escitalopram - within the Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) category are mainly responsible for the increasing trend in AD consumption. Socio-economic, demographic, cultural, and geographical characteristics of the area are included in multiple regression models with random and fixed effects of AD consumption per capita. While most of these factors contribute to explain cross-area variations in AD use, they provide little explanation for the temporal trend in overall AD consumption. Conversely, we find that the time trend in AD consumption is explained at least partially by the density of prescribing physicians. More precisely, generic AD turn out to be positively associated with adverse local economic conditions, while branded AD are negatively associated with adverse economic conditions and positively related to the presence of neurologists and psychiatrists in the area. This may suggest that generic AD drugs are more likely prescribed in accordance to need, whereas branded AD are more likely to respond to preferences and financial incentives affecting suppliers.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuliano Masiero & Fabrizio Mazzonna & Olaf Verbeek, 2018. "What drives the rise of antidepressant consumption? Evidence from Switzerland," IdEP Economic Papers 1801, USI Università della Svizzera italiana.
    • Handle: RePEc:lug:wpidep:1801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuki Tomonaga & Josef Haettenschwiler & Martin Hatzinger & Edith Holsboer-Trachsler & Michael Rufer & Urs Hepp & Thomas Szucs, 2013. "The Economic Burden of Depression in Switzerland," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 237-250, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giuliano Masiero & Fabrizio Mazzonna & Sandro Steinbach & Olaf Verbeek, 2019. "The effect of local growth in antidepressant consumption on mental health outcomes," IdEP Economic Papers 1902, USI Università della Svizzera italiana.
    2. Masiero, Giuliano & Steinbach, Sandro, 2020. "Happy Pills? Mental Health Effects of the Dramatic Increase of Antidepressant Use," IZA Discussion Papers 13727, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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