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

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.