Comparison of affordability and availability of antidepressants in China from 2019 to 2022: evidence from national procurement database

Background

Depression is a widespread mental disorder imposing significant societal burdens. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated its prevalence, emphasizing the need for improved access to affordable and effective treatments. This study aims to examine the trends of antidepressant availability and affordability in China from 2019 to 2022 and the role of the National Volume-Based Procurement (NVBP) policy.