Antipsychotic prescribing in New Zealand between 2008 and 2015
Wilkinson, S.; Mulder, R.T.
New Zealand Medical Journal 131(1480): 61-67
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 1175-8716 PMID: 30116066 Document Number: 695648
To examine antipsychotic prescribing trends in New Zealand adults from 2008-2015. Antipsychotic prescribing data was sourced via the Ministry of Health. Data were examined by year, type of drug, ethnicity, gender, age and location of district health board. All individuals dispensed an antipsychotic were included. Rates of antipsychotic prescribing rose from 1.88% to 2.81%, an increase of 49% over the seven years. Most of the increase was in atypical antipsychotics (particularly quetiapine and olanzapine), which accounted for 82% of total antipsychotics in 2015. Māori were prescribed more antipsychotics than non-Māori. Asian people had the lowest rate of prescribing (0.86%). The highest rate of antipsychotic use was in European females aged 65 plus. Rates of antipsychotic prescription are increasing. Most of this change is in prescribing atypical antipsychotics. Young Māori males and elderly European females are most likely to receive antipsychotics.