South Africa is experiencing shortages of certain antidepressants and antipsychotics which is due to a range of supplier problems, including a shortage of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, production problems, and industrial action at local production facilities, the health department said in a statement.

The products mostly affected by these problems were Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, and Olanzapine. The shortages relating to Amitriptyline, Chlorpromazine, Clonazepam, and Risperidone had been addressed in the short-term.

There were eight companies contracted to produce these medicines and they had been unable to supply the quantities that had been ordered. The companies were Dezzo Pharmaceuticals, Biotech Pharmaceuticals, Aspen Pharmacare, Gulf Drug, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, Cipla, Ranbaxy, and Austell. This shortage affected all provinces and may also affect availability in the private health sector, it said.

"To address this shortage, we have identified stock from other manufacturers (none contracted) that we have been purchasing to address the shortfall in supply. Unfortunately, other manufacturers do not produce the high volumes used in the state and their quantities will be limited."

The department was managing the available stock, such that facilities had adequate amounts for their patients. "We are sourcing stock from other countries where this is available to address the current shortage."

Medicine shortages were a global problem affecting all countries from time to time. The medicine supply chain was very long and complex, which began with the production of base chemicals, synthesis of these chemicals into active pharmaceutical ingredients, production of the pharmaceutical dosage form and, finally, transportation of the finished product from the country of production to other countries. A breakdown in any part of this chain would result in medicine shortages in a health facility, the department said.

African News Agency (ANA)