London antidepressant prescriptions cost £21m annually

New analysis of NHS data indicates that London dispensed an average of 7,649,268 antidepressant items per year between March 2020 and March 2025. This volume of prescriptions incurred an annual cost exceeding £21 million. The figures were compiled from monthly prescribing records within the NHSBSA English Prescribing Dataset.

Regional prescribing patterns

Read Next in Barnet Press3 min read

NICE approves Enhertu for about 1,000 English women with HER2‑low breast cancer

NHS can now spend up to £35,000 per patient after ministers reach a price deal with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo

Within London, North East London registered the highest average number of prescriptions, with 1,839,756 items dispensed annually. North West London followed, with 1,791,996 items prescribed each year. Nationally, England saw almost 96 million antidepressant items prescribed in 2025/26, marking a 3.1 percent rise compared to the preceding year.

Mohammed A Rashad, director at the Medicines Management Team, commented on the scale of the figures. He noted that while the data represents prescribing volume and not necessarily new cases of depression, it highlights the significant role these medications play in current NHS practice. He also pointed out that antidepressants can be prescribed for various clinical reasons, and the NHSBSA data does not specify the indication for each prescription.

The average monthly expenditure on antidepressants in London during the five-year analysis period was £1,786,723.56, resulting in an annual cost of £21,440,682.72. Mr Rashad emphasised the importance of sustained demand for these medications, stating that it necessitates regular patient reviews, appropriate monitoring, and access to complementary support services when clinically suitable.

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

Hendon set to switch to Conservatives in new poll, More in Common shows

The latest MRP model predicts Labour will keep 52 of 59 London seats while the Conservatives gain five, including Hendon, which would move from Labour to Tory control.

Deprivation and prescribing link

National data also reveals a correlation between socioeconomic deprivation and antidepressant prescribing. The NHSBSA reported that patients in the most deprived areas were 44 percent more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than those in the least deprived areas. However, the provided data does not establish a specific borough-by-borough pattern within London.

It is important to note that the figures reflect prescription items dispensed, not unique patients or diagnosed cases of depression. Additionally, prescriptions issued in hospitals, prisons, or via private arrangements are not included in these statistics.