Prescriptions for antidepressants, anti-anxiety, anti-insomnia drugs jumps 21% post COVID-19

Amid stress about health, finances and uncertainty about what to expect next, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on Americans' mental health, a new report from Express Scripts shows.

The pharmacy benefit manager found that prescriptions per week for antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia drugs increased by 21% between February 16 and March 15, peaking the week of March 15 when the virus was deemed a pandemic.