The Department of Health says that there is a shortage of certain anti-depressants and anti-psychotics in the public sector. The main causes include production problems, a shortage of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and protests at production facilities.
Among the medications that are impacted the most are Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, and Olanzapine.
Short-term solutions have been instituted for Amitriptyline, Chlorpromazine, Clonazepam, and Risperidone.
The Department’s Affordable Medicine Director, Khadija Jamaloodien says the shortages are due to range of challenges.
“The causes of these challenges are beyond the control of the Department of Health. Nevertheless, there are strategies currently being implemented by officials at various levels in the Health Department, to try and reduce the impact of the contained medicine supply on patients.”
