Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent, chronic psychiatric disorder characterised by a high level of comorbidity. US costs associated with anxiety disorders, of which SAD is the most prevalent, are estimated at nearly $US47 billion per year. Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), demonstrates long-term efficacy and is well tolerated among patients with SAD, according to the results of a study presented at the 156th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) [San Francisco, California, US; May 2003].1A second study presented at the meeting concluded that escitalopram enhances quality of life (QoL), and appears to be cost effective, in the prevention of relapse in patients with SAD.2Both studies were supported by funding from H Lundbeck A/S.