Can't comment on the laws within the industry, but as a registered pharmacy technician I can say there are broadly two main types of anti-depressants around.
The older ones such as amitriptyline and dosulepin (known as the tricyclics because of their three (or more) benzene rings in the molecular structure) are lesser used for depression nowadays, although some like amitriptyline are seeing a comeback for different indications such as neuralgia (nerve pain).
The newer ones are mainly composed of the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) e.g. citalopram and paroxetine (Seroxat), and NSRIs like venlafaxine.
There, you've probably all learnt something