The Indian mind is in throes of a long covid it seems, as the sale of antidepressant and anti-anxiety pills has boomed over 64 percent since the pandemic phased out, according to a report by the Times of India.
In 2020, the domestic market for these medicines was valued at Rs 1,540 crore and, by November 2024, it surged to Rs 2,536 crore, clocking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 percent. The market grew by 64 percent in four years, shows data by Pharmarack, which monitors 17 leading Indian pharmaceutical companies accounting for over half of the industry.
A combination of Escitalopram and Clonazepam was topped the list with a 59.35 growth in sales since 2020. Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, boosts serotonin levels in the brain, while Clonazepam is prescribed to manage anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures by calming the central nervous system.
It is found that the sales of Sertraline, used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, grew 48.2 percent in the same period.
"Medications like Sertraline, Escitalopram, and Clonazepam are globally recognised for their efficacy and have been around for decades," the TOI report quoted Dr Vishal Sawant, former head of psychiatry at RN Cooper Hospital, as saying.
Dr Harish Shetty, a psychiatrist based in Mumbai, highlighted that these medications rank among the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in India. "The rise in their use isn't surprising," he remarked. "Currently, one in every seven Indians suffers from a mental health issue, compared to one in eight globally. This increase can also be attributed to heightened awareness, as family doctors, alongside psychiatrists, have started to prescribe antidepressants more often."
As of August 30, 2024, the Tele-MANAS helpline, a part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) that offers 24/7 free mental health support, has handled over 11,76,000 calls. The helpline's number is 14416 or 1-800-891-4416.
Some government support helplines in Delhi for mental health:
Mobile Mental Health Unit (MMHU) Helpline
This helpline is available at 011-22592818 and 9868396910, 9868396911. The MMHU team operates from 9 AM to 5 PM on working days.
KIRAN
This toll-free helpline is available at 1800-599-0019. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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