Global trends in the consumption of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in 67 countries and regions from 2008 to 2018: a sales data analysis

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2023-10, Vol.46 (10), p.1
• Main Authors: Ma, Tian-Tian, Wang, Zixuan, Qin, Xiwen, Ju, Chengsheng, Lau, Wallis C Y, Man, Kenneth K C, Castle, David, Chung Chang, Wing, Chan, Adrienne Y L, Cheung, Edmund C L, Chui, Celine Sze Ling, Wong, Ian C K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antianxiety agents; Benzodiazepines; Cancer; Data analysis; Drugs; Eszopiclone; Information management; Nervous system diseases; Oncology, Experimental; Regions; Trends; Zaleplon
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad124

Abstract Study Objectives To investigate the trends in the consumption of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs at global, regional, and national levels from 2008 to 2018, across 67 countries and regions. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the consumption of BZDs and Z-drugs analyzed by global pharmaceutical sales data from the IQVIA-Multinational Integrated Data Analysis System database between 2008 and 2018. Consumption was measured in defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID). The global, regional, and national trends were estimated using linear mixed models. Additional analyses were conducted by grouping countries by income level. The association between consumption and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the prevalence of different medical conditions was explored in univariable linear models. Results BZD consumption decreased annually by −1.88% (95% CI: −2.27%, −1.48%), and Z-drugs increased by + 3.28% (+2.55%, +4.01%). In 2008, the top ten countries for BZD and Z-drug consumption were all European, ranging from 63.69 to 128.24 DDD/TID. Very low levels were found in Russia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, French West Africa, and the Philippines, with DDD/TID