DRUG STUDY REVEALS ANTIDEPRESSANT USE

Cantabrians are more than twice as likely to be taking antidepressants
than residents of Counties-Manukau, one of New Zealand's more deprived
areas.

A Health Ministry study made public yesterday finds "significant
regional differences" in antidepressant prescription rates.

The study says there are several possible explanations for those
differences - including underlying rates of depression, demographic
factors such as age, and socioeconomic deprivation.

But there is no significant difference regionally between the
percentage of people using mental health services, it says.

"The most likely explanation for the observed differences is that they
reflect actual differences in clinical treatment practices between
DHBs."

Study author John Wren said the findings raised questions about what
should be regarded as the optimal level of prescribing. College of GPs
president Jonathan Fox said factors affecting prescription rates were
complex. Lower access to psychiatrists in a particular region could
mean GPs were more likely to prescribe antidepressants.

"I think all of us as GPs are aware that prescribing antidepressants
is quite a serious thing and you need to think carefully before
prescribing."

Particular care needed to be taken with children and adolescents, he
said.

Between 1997 and 2005, prescriptions for a course of antidepressants
almost doubled from 1.1 million to 2.1 million, the study says.

It examines the use of a class of antidepressants called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

They are now the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in New
Zealand and include well-known drugs Prozac, Norpress and Aropax.

They are thought to be safer for treating depression because the drugs
themselves cannot be easily used for suicide, unlike some other types
of antidepressants.

The study finds a link between increased prescribing of the drugs and
increased hospitalisations for self-harm. However, the risk is "very
small". Their use appeared to be linked with fewer suicide deaths.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said the study demonstrated the need for
increased funding for counselling services throughout New Zealand.