Source: CNA
A three-month shortage of the antipsychotic medication Seroquel (quetiapine) has been reported in the Cypriot market. The drug, primarily used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and insomnia, has been unavailable for several months, according to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
Seroquel is a first-line medication provided through the General Health System via private pharmacies. The shortage has affected a significant number of patients.
A relevant source informed the CNA that, on Wednesday morning, the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) sent a letter to the Procurement and Supplies Directorate of the Ministry of Health. The letter instructed the directorate to expedite the procurement process to ensure a sufficient supply of the medication and meet market demands.
The HIO has requested a quantity sufficient to cover a supply of one and a half months. Specifically, they have requested 22,950 tablets of Seroquel 300mg (765 boxes) and 15,300 tablets of Seroquel 150mg (510 boxes).
According to the CNA, the medication was initially expected to arrive in the Cypriot market on January 31, 2025. However, the HIO was subsequently informed by the drug's representative in Cyprus that this date was no longer feasible. While the company is making efforts to secure the supply, the exact arrival date remains uncertain.
The same source assured the CNA that the Ministry and the Procurement and Supplies Directorate typically act promptly upon receiving such requests from the HIO. It is expected that the medication will be available in pharmacies within a matter of days.
The monthly consumption of Seroquel 150mg is approximately 340 packs of 30 tablets, and for Seroquel 300mg, it is around 510 packs of 30 tablets per month.
Ioanna Tandele, an official at the HIO, confirmed the shortage of Seroquel 150mg and 300mg. She noted that the 300mg dosage has been out of stock since early October 2024, and the 150mg dosage since mid-December 2024.
Tandele also mentioned that Seroquel 50mg is still available in the market, and some patients are being provided with this dosage.
Through the procurement process, the aim is to secure alternative medications containing the active ingredient quetiapine, rather than specifically requesting Seroquel.
