Psychotropic medications sales during COVID-19 outbreak in Italy changed according to the pandemic phases and related lockdowns.

OBJECTIVES

We have investigated the psychotropic medications sales (i.e. benzodiazepines, mood stabilisers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from March 2020 to February 2021 compared with the same period in the preceding year.

STUDY

DESIGN

This was a retrospective and observational study.

METHODS

Data were obtained from five pharmacies located in a working-class zone populated by approximately 150,000 people in the urban area of Rome (Italy).

RESULTS

A general slight increase in psychotropic medications sales was observed during the whole pandemic period compared with the previous year.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed that (1) the percentage of sales seems to vary according to the pandemic phases and related lockdowns and (2) the sales differ between the classes of medications considered.