IMPACT OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC ON THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF ANXIOLYTICS AND ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14450/infarma.e202607Keywords:
COVID-19, Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Mental Health, Medication Use, Psychotropic DrugsAbstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a major challenge for mental health, marked by an increase in cases of depression and anxiety. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commercialization of antidepressants (ADs) and benzodiazepines (BZDs) in the Northeast region of Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study based on data from the Brazilian National System for the Management of Controlled Products (SNGPC), comparing the pre-pandemic (2018–2019) and pandemic (2020–2021) periods. Results: There was a significant increase in the sale of ADs, particularly escitalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine, with growth rates exceeding 50% in several states. The consumption of amitriptyline was also elevated, although with lower percentage variation, while fluoxetine showed modest growth. For BZDs, a heterogeneous pattern was observed: alprazolam and clonazepam sales increased, whereas bromazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam showed a decrease. Regionally, AD sales increased most notably in Bahia and Paraíba, while Maranhão and Sergipe led in BZD sales. Conclusions: The findings suggest a worsening of psychological distress and increased use of pharmacological approaches in a context of structural fragility in mental health services. The pandemic not only increased the demand for psychotropic drugs but also exposed regional inequalities in access to treatment. Integrated public health strategies focused on expanding access to non-pharmacological therapies and promoting the rational use of medicines are essential to mitigate the effects of the health crisis and strengthen mental health care in Brazil.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Thamires Fontes Rocha Calado, Maria Eduarda Lima de Barros, Eliane Aparecida Campesatto, Odair Alves da Silva
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under the Licença Creative Commons Attribution which allows the sharing of work with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are authorized to take additional contracts separately, for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (e.g. publish in institutional repository or as a book chapter), with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are allowed and encouraged to publish and distribute their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their personal page) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this can generate productive changes as well as increase the impact and Citation of published work (See O Efeito do Acesso Livre ).
