Using your maths.
2.7 x4 = 10.8 million
So 2.7 million, even allowing for your exemptions, is less than 1 in 4.
But 2.7 million people is still way too many.
The fact that these drugs, some of which are quite expensive, are subsidised on the
PBS and are available to pensioners very cheaply is one reason.
A cheap quick fix to make them “feel better.”
Failure of people in general to take responsibility is another.
In a number of cases where people do
have ongoing psychiatric problems, they are of great benefit.
But in most patients they are not the answer to a problem, and probably
should only be used short term to overcome what is hopefully a temporary
situation.
These patients should not be using them long term.
A lot of pressure on doctors by patients to prescribe them.
But however you look at it,
they are over prescribed.
