New Anti-Anxiety Prescriptions On Rise

Use of anti-anxiety prescriptions had been declining in the past five years but sales jumped 34% from mid-February to mid-March as anxiety levels rose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published by Express Scripts. Weekly scripts for antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medications increased 21% between February 16th and March 15th. Sales peaked the week ending March 15th. Interestingly, 78% of all antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia prescriptions filled during the peak week ending March 15th were all "new" prescriptions.