Pill breakthrough for postnatal depression

A GROUNDBREAKING new pill hailed as a “breakthrough” for postnatal depression has become the first treatment of its kind to be licensed in the UK.

- By Lucy Johnston HEALTH EDITOR

Zurzuvae (zuranolone) has been given the go-ahead by regulator the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in what experts say could mark a turning point in maternal mental health care.

Postnatal depression affects at least one in 10 mothers. A report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists puts the figure even higher, estimating that 85,000 may have suffered from PND last year alone.

Some of those affected take their own lives — about 25 die by suicide during or in the first year after pregnancy.

Experts say many cases are linked to PND and Office for National Statistics data shows suicide is the leading cause of death in women during and after pregnancy.