Over 1.8m anti-depression prescriptions issued in just five months

Michael Bolton

Figures from the HSE show that more than 1.8 million prescriptions for anti-depression medication were issued to people over 16 years of age in the first five months of this year.

Between January and May 2025, 1,855,620 prescriptions were issued to over-16s.

The majority – 1,462,648 – were issued under the General Medical Service (GMS) scheme, which provides access to medical and surgical services for persons for whom acquiring such services would present undue hardship.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), there were 373,106 prescriptions issued. This scheme means individuals and families only have to pay a maximum of €80 each month for approved prescribed drugs and medicines.

A further 19,866 prescriptions were issued under the Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme, which allows people to get some drugs, medicine and medical applications for free.

In comparison, 487,792 prescriptions were issued to people over the age of 18 in 2024.

There were 37,944 prescriptions issued for people under 18 years old between January and September 2024, while in all of 2023, there were 36,578 prescriptions for people under the age of 18 for anti-depression medication.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: "International guidelines support the use of pharmacological (medication) treatment as an important and evidence-based intervention for people with moderate to severe mental illness.

"Medication should almost always be used in combination with psychological and social treatments to support a person in recovery.

"The total allocation for mental health services for 2025 is almost €1.5 billion, a record funding level. Mental health service funding has increased by over 44 per cent since 2020.

"This investment will continue to support the implementation of our national mental health policy 'Sharing the Vision', and 'Connecting for Life', our national suicide reduction strategy, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services.

"Investment this year focuses on talking therapies and child and youth mental health, including targeted initiatives that support children and young people as they transition from child to adult mental health services, ensuring they can continue to access the supports that they need."