Widely prescribed mental health drugs out of stock in French pharmacies
French medical authorities have asked other countries for help tackling shortage
Doctors are being told not to start new courses of the drug
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Medicines used to tackle mental health issues such as schizophrenia and bipolar depression are facing a severe shortage in France, medical authorities have warned.
A production issue has left medicines with a quetiapine base – both Xeroquel LP and generics brands – out of stock across the country, says the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (ANSM).
The issue, stemming from the drug manufacturer Pharmathen International, affects all dosage types of the affected medicines.
Quetiapine is an “atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and major depression,” the ANSM adds.
It is often used in conjunction with another drug as part of a mixture of medicines. Only certain forms of the drug in France are marketed.
Read more: Doctors in France to receive €1,000 bonus for prescribing fewer drugs
Prescribe alternatives where possible, doctors told
The ANSM has asked doctors to stop prescribing new treatments with a quetiapine base except for patients presenting severe signs of bipolar depression, and to use alternatives where possible.
Patients with a repeat prescription may find that the pharmacy is unable to fulfil their request.
In this situation, the ANSM asks pharmacists to contact the prescribing doctor for more information to find an alternative where possible.
Patients are also recommended to speak with a pharmacist or their doctor if their usual medicine is unavailable.
It lists a series of possible alternatives in its report on the shortage here.
Patients who abruptly stop taking the medicine risk side-effects – including nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia – or a significant risk of relapse into mental health issues, said psychiatrist Antoine Pélissolo this week (quoted in Huffington Post).
In addition, it has asked laboratories to import medicines if they can.
Alongside the above measure, the ANSM has triggered the European voluntary solidarity mechanism in an attempt to curb the shortage.
In place since 2023, this scheme is a ‘last resort’ where EU Member States can ask other States for support during a severe drug shortage.
Read more: France to launch plan to tackle winter medicine shortages
