Lack of therapies blamed for high antidepressant rates

A lack of psychological and social therapies for people with mental health difficulties is partly to blame for high prescribing rates for antidepressants. That’s according to doctors addressing the Oireachtas joint health committee on foot of recent media reports on overuse of prescription drugs.

Dr Mark Murphy, spokesperson for the Irish College of General Practitioners (IAGP), said the State spent €40m on antidepressants for GMS eligible patients in 2016 but just €10m on Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC).

CIPC, a HSE service for people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, has limited availability around the country.