By Helen Bamford
A nationwide shortage of medications, including those used to treat chronic ailments like depression and schizophrenia, has pharmacists and patients on edge.
Manufacturers have been tight-lipped over the exact reasons except to say there is a global shortage of certain raw ingredients.
A Cape Town woman said she had battled to find her chronic medication for bipolar disorder, called Solian. Her Sea Point pharmacist said they had phoned everywhere but the whole of South Africa appeared to be out of stock. And a number of other medications, including some anti-retrovirals and anti-depressants, were also unavailable. "Eventually they found some of a much higher dosage which they cut up into quarters."
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'Everyone is passing the buck' She said not to take the tablets for bipolar disorder was bad, but for people with schizophrenia it could be a disaster.
Cape Town psychiatrist Dr Jeff Mullan said reasons for the shortages appeared shrouded in secrecy and denial. "Everyone is passing the buck and there are all sorts of different stories."
Patients on drugs like anti-depressants couldn't simply stop taking them. They needed to be weaned off after completing the pre-requisite course which was usually six months to a year. "Those who are forced to suddenly stop could face side-effects."
Both the chemical and psychological dependency needed to be taken into account. "A person who suddenly has to stop can experience psychological panic, which can be as powerful and impactful as the chemical dependency."
Peter Eagles, president of the SA Pharmacy Council, said there could be many reasons for the shortages, including inadequate standards at facilities producing the drugs.
'People on anti-depressants also can't just swap their medication' This was what caused the recent Disprin shortage, when Enaleni Pharmaceuticals was forced to upgrade its Durban facilities and there was a disruption in supply.
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