Psychotropic medicine shortages affect South African hospitals
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
The South African Society of Psychiatrists has raised the alarm over shortages of psychotropic medicines in several public hospitals across the country, particularly treatments for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression. The organisation is seeking explanations from the Health Ministry and health authorities, according to IOL.
The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) has reported shortages of psychotropic medicines in several South African public hospitals, with particularly numerous reports in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. The organisation says the shortages affect, among other treatments, those for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, according to a statement published on Thursday.
Doctors have begun using alternative medicines, but SASOP believes these products could also soon run short. The organisation is also concerned that, in some public hospitals, psychiatrists have been prevented from issuing private prescriptions that would allow families to buy the medicines from private pharmacies.
Mvuyiso Talatala, a former SASOP president, says South Africa’s Health Ministry and other health bodies have provided no concrete explanation for the shortages. Possible explanations cited include late orders by hospital pharmacies and the closure of some pharmaceutical factories by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, against the backdrop of disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
SASOP disputes the latter explanation, pointing out that the medicines concerned are manufactured in South Africa and that some of their ingredients come from countries including India. Talatala believes that simultaneous shortages of medicines produced by several manufacturers and intended to treat different psychiatric conditions require answers from the health authorities, according to IOL.
