Surge in antidepressant sales underscores Russia's mental health crisis

In 2024, the sale of antidepressants in Russia reached a record level, increasing by 20 percent compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 16 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 Center for Advanced Technology Development, Russians could have spent up to 13.5 billion rubles (over 190 million CAD) on antidepressants. According to Rosstat, drug prices increased by an average of 11% in the previous year with inflation at 9.5 percent.

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 percent compared to the previous year, reports the Center 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.