| ATC group |
2004–05 |
2005–06 |
2006–07 |
2007–08 |
2008–09 |
Average annual change (%) |
| Antipsychotics including clozapine |
1,677,579 |
1,848,371 |
1,996,375 |
2,211,209 |
2,511,874 |
10.6 |
| Anxiolytics |
3,349,889 |
3,292,480 |
3,268,587 |
3,179,289 |
3,231,447 |
–0.9 |
| Hypnotics and sedatives |
3,001,438 |
2,875,194 |
2,775,440 |
2,643,327 |
2,616,188 |
–3.4 |
| Antidepressants |
12,774,177 |
12,327,048 |
12,056,443 |
11,657,069 |
12,305,222 |
–0.9 |
| Psychostimulants and nootropics |
233,603 |
254,966 |
274,413 |
392,502 |
477,218 |
19.6 |
| Other ATC groups (b) |
301,260 |
292,185 |
290,915 |
286,042 |
295,230 |
–0.5 |
| Total |
21,337,946 |
20,890,244 |
20,662,173 |
20,369,438 |
21,437,179 |
0.1 |
| Rate (per 1,000 population) (c) |
1,054 |
1,017 |
990 |
959 |
990 |
–1.5 |
- Classified according to the ATC Classification System (WHO 2009). Does not include public hospital prescriptions dispensed through Section 100 arrangements, in particular for Clozapine.
- Note that data for other ATC groups prescribed by GPs and non‑psychiatrist specialists are not presented because they are not regarded as mental health‑related medications.
- Crude rate based on the preliminary Australian estimated resident population as at 31 December of the reference year.
Sources
AIHW 2010. Mental health services in Australia 2007–08. AIHW forthcoming. Canberra.
World Health Organization (WHO) 2009. The anatomical, therapeutic, chemical classification system with defined daily doses (ATC/DDD). Viewed 11 January 2010 , <www.whocc.no/atcddd/>.