Cost of antidepressants in Italy in 2023, by type

The average cost of antidepressants in daily defined doses (DDD) in Italy was 0.43 euros per DDD in 2023. Breaking down this figure by type of antidepressant, there were large differences in costs. For example, in 2023 the cost of bupropion amounted to 1.67 euros per DDD, while sertraline was just 0.23 euros. 

Trends in antidepressant costs and consumption

The average cost of antidepressants in Italy has remained relatively stable in recent years, holding at 0.42 euros per DDD from 2018 to 2022 before slightly increasing to 0.43 euros in 2023. While costs differ across antidepressants, consumption rates also vary among different types of antidepressants. Sertraline, being the least expensive option, was the most widely used in 2023 with 10.3 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day. Paroxetine followed at 8.2 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants daily.  

Regional variations in antidepressant use 

While the average consumption of antidepressants in Italy was 47.1 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2023, there were notable regional differences. Tuscany had the highest consumption rate at 69.3 DDD, while Basilicata had the lowest at 36.5 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants. Generally, southern regions and islands showed the lower usage at 39.5 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day.