Children are taking less medication than ten years ago, but there has been an increase in antidepressant use among teenagers in Belgium.
The findings are according to a study conducted by the Christian Mutuality (MC), which examined billing data for its members aged 0-18 years between 2013 and 2023.
The study found that overall medication use among children and adolescents has decreased, with 57% having at least one reimbursed medication in 2023, down from 62% in 2013. Health insurance expenses for medications have also decreased by 8%.
The most significant decline is seen in the use of antibiotics, especially amoxicillin and amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid, commonly used for respiratory infections.
In these categories, the number of users dropped by 16% and 45% respectively compared to 2013. However, the use of flucloxacillin, an antibiotic for skin infections, has increased by 66%.
Despite the overall decline, antibiotic consumption in Belgium remains higher than the European average.
Medications for the nervous system show the most concerning increase from 2013 to 2023, notes the MC. For example, the number of users of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) medications increased by 31.5% between 2013 and 2023. Antidepressant use has surged by 43%.
The MC reports a significant decrease in the use of oral contraceptives. The total number of users has fallen by 16% since 2013. Concurrently, there is an increase in the number of women under-18 opting for hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs). In 2013, 52 MC members requested reimbursement for IUDs, compared to 483 in 2023.
