Brand-name antidepressant and sleep aid sales up in 2008

Brand-name antidepressant and sleep aid sales up in 2008

Prescriptions for brand-name sleep aids jumped 7% despite experiencing cutbacks in marketing efforts, according to IMS Health. Brand-name antidepressant sales are also up 15%, although marketing costs aren't as clear. Experts say the economy is to blame for the rise of sleeping pill sales, with 31% of respondents in a National Sleep Foundation poll reporting they are losing sleep over the economy and their personal finances. Increased sleep aid sales are especially notable because of the drastic decrease in marketing spend. According to TNS Media Intelligence, Ambien CR spending fell from $190 million in 2007 to $150 million in 2008. Lunesta spending also dropped from $271 in 2007 to $107 in 2008.