Some experts believe that, as a result, some people will end up being prescribed medication that they do not need. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was developed in 1999 by academics who were funded by Pfizer. Saeed Farooq, a professor of psychiatry and public mental health at Keele University, who led the study, told Good Health: ‘Prevention is not high on the research agenda in mental health. ‘These tools are designed to support the evaluation and diagnosis of patients who could potentially have a mental health condition. Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told Good Health: ‘It is likely lockdown measures will be having an impact on some patients’ mental health.

Source: Daily Mail June 22, 2020 21:00 UTC