Russia sees record rise in antidepressant sales amidst crisis

In 2024, the sale of antidepressants in Russia reached a record level, increasing by 20 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching 16.1 million packages by November. This information was reported by the economic daily "Kommersant" portal, citing market analyst data, according to the Polish Press Agency.

According to the Centre for Advanced Technology Development, Russians could have spent up to 13.5 billion roubles (over £90 million) on antidepressants. According to Rosstat, drug prices increased by an average of 11% in the previous year with inflation at 9.5 per cent.

The demand for antidepressants in Russia surged after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the very first month following the onset of the conflict, sales of these drugs tripled. In 2024, the demand for such medications increased by 22 per cent compared to the previous year, reports the Centre for Advanced Technology Development quoted by "Kommersant".

With rising demand and limited medical supply deliveries to Russia, patients encounter difficulties purchasing certain medications.

Patients suffering from depression started to use traditional methods of coping with the condition less frequently and visit doctors more often – said Nikolai Bespalov, director of one of the Russian pharmaceutical companies, quoted by the Moscow Times portal.

The increased demand for antidepressants in Russia is directly related to the geopolitical and social situation in the country, which affects the mental health of its citizens. In the face of these challenges, the availability of appropriate pharmaceutical resources becomes a crucial issue for many patients.