Russia's soaring antidepressant sales hit record highs

In 2024, the sale of antidepressants in Russia reached a record level, rising by 20 percent compared to the previous year and totaling 16.1 million packages by November. The economic daily Kommersant portal reported this information, citing market analyst data from the Polish Press Agency.

According to the Center for Advanced Technology Development, Russians could have spent up to 13.5 billion rubles 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 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the very first month after the conflict began, sales of these drugs tripled. In 2024, the demand for such medications increased by 22 percent compared to the previous year, as reported by the Center for Advanced Technology Development and quoted by "Kommersant."

Patients have encountered difficulties purchasing certain medications due to rising demand and limited medical supply deliveries to Russia.

According to Nikolai Bespalov, the director of a Russian pharmaceutical company, individuals dealing with depression are relying less on traditional coping methods and are increasingly seeking medical assistance. The Moscow Times portal reported this information.

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. Given these challenges, the availability of suitable pharmaceutical resources has become a crucial issue for many patients.