A delay in the production that patients would have gone well. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 5, the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) alerts against the worsening of the scarcity of psychotropic drugs, and in particular in Quetiapine. Also known as Mache Xeroquel, this treatment is prescribed for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders or depression.
“In this context, we have gathered the representatives of health professionals, patients and players in the drug chain to take stock of the situation and the actions we implement,” the agency said.
However, the health authorities were in the Vitris laboratory to stop scarcity: “This laboratory has significantly compensated for laboratories insufficiency directly affected by the difficulties of the Phamathen production site,” details the ANSM.
Supply tensions since September 2024
He only prevents Quetiapina’s scarcity does not leave yesterday. The first supplies of supplies identified by the ANSM date until September 16, 2024. The shortage has worsened since the beginning of 2025, which leads the authorities to take increasingly restrictive measures. Since February 12, 2025, for example, the dispensation of the unit has become mandatory in drug pharmacies based on prolonged release (LP) 50 mg.
Quetiapina treatment initiations were also suspended, “except for patients with a depressed episode characterized as part of a bipolar disorder,” recalls the ANSM. Therefore, the agency provides doctors, on its website, a list of possible therapeutic alternatives.
Quetiapine problems are part of a broader context of shortage for several psychiatric drugs, a situation that worries several specialist doctors. In its last evaluation of the situation, in mid -July, the ANSM had reported that these difficulties persisted in general, despite the improvements for certain treatments such as antidepressant serterin (Zoloft).
Source: BFM TV
