Perspective

Background: Evaluating treatments for depression is of great importance given that estimates of lifetime prevalence range up to 20 per cent. The class of antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) has been a major innovation in this area, but has also raised questions about their cost-effectiveness as a first-line treatment, due to their high price compared to other drugs. Aims of Study: The study aimed to contribute to this debate, from within the context of European health care systems. These systems share a common set of pressures to contain costs, many of which, in Europe, are funded from public finances, unlike the US system, with its greater private sector involvement. Methods: A range of published papers were reviewed. They all covered the general area of costs and SSRIs and were evaluate