Fed: Report says we spending more on mental health drugs

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2007
Fed: Report says we spending more on mental health drugs

There's more bad news about the nation's deteriorating mental health .. with figures
showing the use of antidepressants and antipsychotic medication is skyrocketing.

An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report contains additional evidence that
mental health problems are widespread in Australian society.

About 20.7 million prescriptions for mental-health-related medication were filled under
the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in the year ending June 2006 .. compared to 18.5 million
five years earlier.

Tasmania and South Australia have the highest per capita rates of patients taking mental
health medication .. while the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory
have the lowest.

The data does not include all medications taken for mental health in Australia .. as
some do not require a prescription.

AAP RTV jb/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: MENTAL (CANBERRA)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.