The use of sleeping pills and tranquilizers decreased by 4.3 percent last year, the largest decrease in years. The decrease can mainly be seen in the substances for which users have to pay themselves, the Stichting Pharmaceutische Kengetallen (SFK) reports in the professional journal Pharmaceutisch Weekblad.
Last year, community pharmacies dispensed a total of 149 daily doses of so-called benzodiazepines, which are used, among other things, for anxiety, insomnia and epilepsy. Because these drugs are addictive and entail an increased risk of falling, it has been recommended for years to limit long-term use.
In 2019, pharmacies dispensed a sedative or sedative to nearly 1.4 million people. Most users are 75 years of age or older. In this group, one in five people used a benzodiazepine, compared to one in twelve on average.
By: ANP
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