COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Psychotropic Medication Dispensing to US Youths

Strategic Insights -

Data from Brunswick, United States, indicate a significant decline in the dispensing of psychotropic medications to US youths after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent study, the start of the pandemic led to a significant decrease in the dispensing of prescription psychotropic medications to youths aged 5-18 years. The study found that for many medications, fewer were dispensed in April-May 2020 compared to April-May 2019.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined trends and geographic variability in dispensing of prescription psychotropic medications to US youths before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The study found that stimulants had the largest decline in May 2020, with a 226.4% decrease in dispensing compared to May 2019.
  • The magnitude of the monthly percent change varied by region.
  • Fewer psychotropic medications were dispensed to US youths after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2019.
  • Although some medication classes rebounded to pre-pandemic dispensing levels by September 2020, dispensing varied by class and region.
  • The study used national data on prescription medication dispensing and examined the monthly percent change in psychotropic medications dispensed to youths aged 5-18 years in 2020 versus 2019.
  • The study's findings were published in Psychiatric Services in August 2023.

Statistics:

  • 595,639,975 total psychotropic medications dispensed to youths (ages 5-18 years) in 2020.
  • The largest decline in dispensing was for stimulants, with a 226.4% decrease in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
  • The study examined geographic variability in dispensing and found that the magnitude of the monthly percent change varied by region.
  • Fewer psychotropic medications were dispensed to US youths after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2019.

Sources:

  • Geographic Trends In Pediatric Psychotropic Medication Dispensing Before and After the Start of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Psychiatric Services, 2023;74(8):880-884.
  • Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 19, 2023; p 290.
  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Study Findings Have Been Reported by Researchers at Rutgers University - The State University of New Jersey (Geographic Trends In Pediatric Psychotropic Medication Dispensing Before and After the Start of the Covid-19 Pandemic).