Sam Wilkinson1, Roger T Mulder2. 1. Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch. 2. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch.
Abstract
AIM: To examine antipsychotic prescribing trends in New Zealand adults from 2008-2015. METHODS: Antipsychotic prescribing data was sourced via the Ministry of Health. Data were examined by year, type of drug, ethnicity, gender, age and location of district health board. RESULTS: All individuals dispensed an antipsychotic were included. Rates of antipsychotic prescribing rose from 1.88% to 2.81%, an increase of 49% over the seven years. Most of the increase was in atypical antipsychotics (particularly quetiapine and olanzapine), which accounted for 82% of total antipsychotics in 2015. Māori were prescribed more antipsychotics than non-Māori. Asian people had the lowest rate of prescribing (0.86%). The highest rate of antipsychotic use was in European females aged 65 plus. CONCLUSION: Rates of antipsychotic prescription are increasing. Most of this change is in prescribing atypical antipsychotics. Young Māori males and elderly European females are most likely to receive antipsychotics.
AIM: To examine antipsychotic prescribing trends in New Zealand adults from 2008-2015. METHODS: Antipsychotic prescribing data was sourced via the Ministry of Health. Data were examined by year, type of drug, ethnicity, gender, age and location of district health board. RESULTS: All individuals dispensed an antipsychotic were included. Rates of antipsychotic prescribing rose from 1.88% to 2.81%, an increase of 49% over the seven years. Most of the increase was in atypical antipsychotics (particularly quetiapine and olanzapine), which accounted for 82% of total antipsychotics in 2015. Māori were prescribed more antipsychotics than non-Māori. Asian people had the lowest rate of prescribing (0.86%). The highest rate of antipsychotic use was in European females aged 65 plus. CONCLUSION: Rates of antipsychotic prescription are increasing. Most of this change is in prescribing atypical antipsychotics. Young Māori males and elderly European females are most likely to receive antipsychotics.