The Number of Newly Dispensed Hypnotic Drugs During the First COVID‐19 Lockdown Period in The Netherlands

TL;DR

During the first COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands, fewer people received hypnotic drugs for the first time, except for the elderly.

Contribution

This study provides new empirical data on hypnotic drug dispensations during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands.

Findings

First-time hypnotic drug dispensations decreased significantly in 2020 compared to 2019 during the lockdown period.

Children, adolescents, and adults had reduced first-time hypnotic dispensations, but not the elderly.

Females received more hypnotics than males, aligning with higher sleep disturbance reports.

Abstract

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic and associated lockdowns significantly disrupted healthcare systems, including access to pharmacological treatments such as sleep medication. This study investigated the number of first‐time dispensed hypnotic drugs during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in the Netherlands, using data from the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics (SFK), which covers approximately 96% of all pharmacy dispensations (5.46 million patients). First‐time dispensing was defined as no use of hypnotics in the previous year and included benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine‐related drugs, and melatonin receptor agonists. Data from 2020 were analysed across three periods: pre‐lockdown (Weeks 1–11), lockdown (Weeks 12–19) and post‐lockdown (Weeks 20–26), and were compared to the same periods in 2019. Analyses were stratified by age group (children: 0–9, adolescents: 10–19, adults: 20–64, elderly: 65+) and sex. The data revealed a significant reduction in first‐time hypnotic dispensations in 2020 (155,961) compared to 2019 (168,814, p < 0.001), with declines across all three time periods (p < 0.001). During the lockdown, significant reductions were found among children, adolescents, and adults (p < 0.001), but not among the elderly. Female adults and the elderly received significantly more hypnotics than their male counterparts (p < 0.001), consistent with higher reported rates of sleep disturbances. In conclusion, the overall number of first‐time dispensed hypnotics was significantly lower during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in the Netherlands, except among the elderly. It remains unclear to what extent individuals self‐medicated with over‐the‐counter sleep medication, or experienced untreated sleep complaints during the first lockdown in the Netherlands.

Figures